Help. My twin boys are 20 months old and constantly climbing out of their cribs. They share a room and end up running and playing instead of napping. It is a struggle at night to get them to sleep. I was thinking of crib tents but since they are almost 2 I don't see the sense of buying a $60 crib tent to use for a short time. I want to transition them into a big bed (a double bed they can share together for the time being until we can afford 2 single beds). I tried to get them to sleep on their crib mattresses but they won't lay down even with me. They do not listen and I don't know what to do. I feel as though I have no control over them and it brings me to tears. If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them.
Thank you.
A family member is giving us the double bed so that is why we were thinking about the double bed instead of 2 single beds.
Ok, so I was a horrible mother this weekend....the boys are still in their cribs. I tell you the day I told them we were going to say bye to their cribs (last wednesday) they actually stayed sleeping in their cribs. I forgot all about the activities my daughter had this weekend so we didn't even have time to take the cribs down. However, this coming weekend is transition weekend. I was out shopping on Sunday when my husband sent me a text saying 'your mom just dropped off 2 toddler beds' I had to call her and scold her because we never agreed to that but maybe it will help so we are going to set up the beds this weeknd. The boys already seem interested and excited about the beds so hopefully it won't be too bad. I will keep you all posted :) Thanks again for all the help and support.
Aren't single beds cheaper than a double bed?
What about just getting two twin mattresses and placing them on the floor?
I had the same problem w/ M. twin girls! We bought toddler beds (just cheapo ones from Wal-Mart) & transitioned them around 18 months of age! It was a LONG first week, but then they got it. You definitely wouldn't have to do the beds, though. Just put their crib mattresses on the floor & get the cribs OUT of the room! The other thing we did was completely empty their room. We left one dresser in there (but eventually took it out when they started playing w/ it), and we put a lock on their closet. Then they didn't have anything to play with at all, just each other. I have a lot of great pics of them sleeping on the floor, in each other's beds, with each other, etc.
Good luck!
Personally, I would invest in buying 2 crib tents so they cannot climb out and keep them in there for at least another 6 months. I transitioned 2 of my girls too early and it was hard on all of us. Good luck!
Hi K.,
I am the mom of twin girls who are now almost four and I feel your pain. Unfortunately, I don't have any great gems of wisdom to offer. Is it possible to put them in separate rooms? We tried that for a while. The girls became wise to it after a few weeks though and just busted out of the rooms to be with each other. We went through a long phase where I sat with them until they fell asleep. I think they can sense your frustration and tension and that fuels up the wild behavior even more.
One thing that did work was to stop worrying about it so much. Reverse psychology worked - "You don't have to sleep, let's just rest" or we called it "quiet time" instead of a nap. They were more likely to succumb to sleep when they didn't feel like they were being forced into it.
If you have a separate room that can be child proofed enough to leave one alone in it, that may help. My girls want to be together so badly that the threat of being separated is enough to get them to stop the behavior.
Twin mischief is such a reality! I feel for you.
Good luck! Hope you find something that works. 20 months is way to young to give up the nap!
I have 3 YO twin girls and they started climbing out of their cribs at 12 mos so we bought the tents then. I HIGHLY recommend it... you'll be able to keep them in their cribs a lot longer - we live in a neighborhood w/ a lot of kids and EVERY parent who has transitioned their kids to a bed has said how horrible it is.
I still have mine in the crib/tent b/c it is SO convenient for us. They actually love them and will zip themselves up if we forget to do it!! Even though they can zip them up and down themselves they don't ever try to climb out of them.
I know we'll have to transition them soon - but I'm just dreading it. We're eventually going to put their crib mattresses on low frames, take EVERY toy, etc. out of their room so there is nothing to play with and put a stair gate up in their doorway so that they can't get out.
We're going to do it in the summer when they don't have pre-school or anything they 'have to' be up early for / have a good night's sleep for. I hope the 'newness' of it all will wear off and they will eventually fall asleep.
Twins have a unique bond and I agree w/ another poster who said it doesn't matter if they end up in bed together, talking, etc. as long as they eventually fall asleep. Good luck and let us know how it goes!!
I would first break down the cribs and remove them, only leaving the mattresses on the floor. Ask your boys where they want their beds...next to each other? On opposite sides of the room?
Explain to them that they are getting bigger and that when it's time for bed, they have to stay in their room. Do you close their door or leave it open? Just wondering how you know they are not sleeping (and instead playing). Do they come out of their room?
Make sure their room is too dark to play in (even if they want a nightlight on - that is okay just make sure it's dim or out in the hallway). Put them to bed with their normal routine but explain to them that they have to stay in their beds. They can talk or play as long as they stay in their beds. If not, you will have to separate them. Not sure if they will understand this at their age.
If that works and they stay IN their room but just play for a while (or long time) and eventually go to sleep, I'd move their bedtime up so that they are playing and falling asleep when they should. They will probably be excited as it's something new for them. As long as they are not leaving their room, I say let them be!
I would not worry about a double bed or two singles until they are comfortable and established in sleeping out of their cribs, only because if they are always getting down to play, you will have to come in if they fall out of bed, hurt themselves getting out of bed, etc.
Another idea is to invest in toddler beds (although we did this and I wouldn't have if I had to do it again).
You could look for cheap beds/frames for double or single beds on craigslist.
Bottom line - they need to be out of cribs because it is dangerous for them.
If they do not follow directions (whatever you are comfortable with - letting them play in the dark or no playing at all), remove one child from the room and put him to bed in your bed (or do you have another bedroom or bed)? If it happens a second night, remove the other child. Keep explaining to them that they have to be quiet and go to sleep (even if they want to sleep together) or they will not be able to be in the same room.
You say you've tried to get them to lay down but they wont' with you. Then I suggest leaving the room and telling them goodnight. If they follow you, walk them back to bed and tell them it's night time.
You may need to try different things to get them to sleep. Keep trying and you'll figure it out! Good luck!
