sticker chart for sleep

potbellypig

I need some help getting my 21 month old to sleep in her own bed through the night. She moved to her big-girl bed about a week ago (refuses to sleep in her crib). We started bringing her into our bed about 6-8 weeks ago due to teething and DH being away on trips, and we have fallen into the habit of her waking up and wanting to come into our bed every night, which we acquiese to because it's easier than fighting it. I am expecting for February and would like her to be sleeping in her own bed by then. Adding to the problem is that she goes to bed too late and is over tired because we put her to bed a little too late and she has a hard time falling asleep without snuggles (that problem has been occuring for 2 weeks).

One thing I thought of doing was a sticker chart to help motivate her to sleep through the night, but I don't know if 21 months old is too young for this to work...she loves stickers but would she be old enough to understand the concept? Any other ideas?

WasNotWas

We did a board game thingy...I made a game board with 7 spots and a "game piece" with Bradley's face on it. At the end of the 7 spots was the word "ZOO" which is his absolute favorite place to go. I explained to him that every morning he wakes up in his room and doesn't come into mommy & daddy's room he can move his game piece to the next spot. I explained it to him like a million times and before bed every night we looked at the board and every morning we did a big deal about moving the piece. I can take a pic of it if you want

ETA: We wound up going to the zoo and he got to invite a friend

Nechie122

I think 21 months is probably on the young side for that. By your own admission, you're putting her to bed too late and then letting her snuggle in your bed whenever she wants to in the middle of the night ... and getting a sticker 12 hours later is supposed to motivate an overtired kid who wants to sleep in mommy and daddy's big bed?

Put her to bed at a reasonable hour and when she gets out, walk her back to her bed decisively. Repeat if necessary. It should only take a night or two if you hold firm. Do it on a weekend if you can't afford to be tired at work.

potbellypig

Nechie122 said:

I think 21 months is probably on the young side for that. By your own admission, you're putting her to bed too late and then letting her snuggle in your bed whenever she wants to in the middle of the night ... and getting a sticker 12 hours later is supposed to motivate an overtired kid who wants to sleep in mommy and daddy's big bed? Put her to bed at a reasonable hour and when she gets out, walk her back to her bed decisively. Repeat if necessary. It should only take a night or two if you hold firm. Do it on a weekend if you can't afford to be tired at work.

Maybe the sticker chart should be for me than...I get a sticker everytime I am firm with her throughout the night, lol!