Would duct tape work?

bearfootz

Ok, guessing it would, but would probably land me in jail.

How DO you keep your kids in their bed all night?  My kids go to bed pretty decent, but at some point DS winds up in our bed.  I guess we've been lax about returning him to his bed since we're half asleep and don't want to cause a fight & wake up the other kid - actually, sometimes we don't even wake up when he crawls in - and he usually just crawls in and goes right to sleep.  Not so bad, right?  Well, now DD has been coming in too.  Again, sometimes she just crawls in and goes to sleep - other times she needs a drink.  Still, not that horrible.

But then there are nights like last night when both of them end up in our bed - both of them wanting to sleep right by their mommy - both of them wanting to sleep somewhat crossways.  So today I can hardly move my neck from sleeping with my head on the nightstand. 

Any advice on how to keep the little buggers in their bed all night?

Swainb

Sadly, I don't think there is any legal way to physically keep them in bed. I think your best bet is consistency, keep putting them back in their beds even if you realize they are there a little late, just keep putting them back. But personally if they are sleeping I wouldn't care where they were sleeping, I would just get a bigger bed, lol!

Ms5586

A gate would be a little more legal than the duct tape

bearfootz

Ms5586:

A gate would be a little more legal than the duct tape

Legal yes, but we've tried that and they climb over and fall.  Perhaps a taller gate would work though...

azzyberry

We just went through this with my DS.  He's been coming into our bed for a while now.  Most nights I was so tired I didn't even notice.  Then there are the nights where he's laying horizontal between DH and I and we are clinging to the edge of the bed trying not to fall off.  Finally a few weeks ago we decided it needed to stop. When DS would come in to our room, DH would wait for him to fall back asleep (which was usually pretty quick) and then DH would move him back into his room.  If we tried moving him when he was awake he would cry and scream.  After the 3rd night he started sleeping through the night in his room.  It's only been just over a week but we're very hopeful it will last. 

Edited for tons of errors.  Hopefully I got them all.  I'm tired. 

Ms5586

Bearfootz:

Ms5586:

A gate would be a little more legal than the duct tape

Legal yes, but we've tried that and they climb over and fall.  Perhaps a taller gate would work though...

Sneaky and escape artists?  Sadly, you're screwed

I would check into a taller gate (craigslist!) or maybe the door knob covers.

ETA: 38 inch tall gate - https://www.amazon.com/Regalo-Extra-Tall-Widespan-White/dp/B003VNKLHK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1343916637&sr=8-4&keywords=tall+safety+gate

Aloe0l

Do you think they'd be motivated by a sticker/star chart or something?  Where you give them a star in the mornings for every night they stayed in their own bed?

Then, after x number of stars they can get a reward (go out for ice cream, toy, whatever motivates them).

DD just figured out she could get out of her bed by herself this morning (I knew she could, but she didn't know/think she could).  I forsee her using this skill a lot in our future.

delg23

Is reversing the door knob so that you can lock them in frowned upon?

MrsSR

I think putting a gate up to keep them in their room (or switching the doorknob and locking them in) is so sad...  I just can't imagine DD standing there crying because she woke up and is scared or whatever and needs me.

If you really don't want him in bed with you, then you need to either walk him back when you realize he is there, or motivate him by stickers or small treats. 

bearfootz

Yeah, locking them in is just going to cause crying and tears and get them riled up.  I just need to find a way to convince them that they can stay in their beds if they wake up during the night.  But I think they're probably half asleep themselves when they come in - they're not usually upset or anything.  Maybe I'll try bribery. 

MrsSR

Do you have a night light?  We just got this night light for DD and it's super nice.  Maybe that would help?