Toddler sleep problems

[mumsareok]

I desperately need help. Am at my wits end and tonight I actually felt like packing my bags and walking away forever. I have a DS who is 2 and a DD who is 4. My DD has always had problems sleeping - comes into our room every night. My husband now sleeps on the floor in the lounge and has done for about 3 weeks. I've tried taking her back to her room but she gets so upset and then wakes my DS up and its me that has to deal with it. My DS has started waking at about 4.30am every morning and WILL NOT go back to sleep. I can't keep going on like this. My husband and I are on the verge of separating - I thought having a family was supposed to be a joyous thing. Anyone have any suggestions?

[LilMissnBoo]

:hugs::hugs:

I highly recommend the book No Cry Sleep Solutions for Toddlers by Elizabeth Pantley. She has some really great methods in helping babies/kids sleep without the crying.

I went my local library and got a copy, but most good bookstores should stock it too.

Here is a link (http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/) with more info.

[MamaKoala]

I'm sorry you're going through that. Is there any way you can separate the two children in to two rooms so that if DD does get upset when you put her back she at least wont wake up DS? Another thing could be to put a matress on the floor for DD when she does come into your room and work from there. Let her spend a few nights on the mattress and then start moving her back into her room.
I used controlled crying with both my boys but a lot of people don't like to do that. There are some less brutal ways of using controlled crying method but it does take time and you need to be consistent. I hope you get some relief. It would be a shame for your family to separate over this. You need to work together.

[bindiloo]

It takes about 3days to break a behaviour so if you are consistent and continue to return her to her room everytime she gets out of her bed and comes to your room then eventually she will stop coming in,it could take hours each night but usually after a few days you break the habit.
Is your ds in the same room as your dd or in a diff room?
If he is in a different room then perhaps you could close his door over a tad after he has gone to sleep and maybe play some music softly in the background.
We have been very successful using this method with out dd. Your husband sleeping in the loungeroom and her getting away with continuing it is proving to her she is in control. You need to stick together and realise it will be hard for a few days but if you are persistent you both could break her habit of waking and coming to your room constantly.

Goodluck i hope things inprove for you both:)