The “Reclaim Your Bed” Technique (as taught to me by Jo Frost during the filming of our Supernanny episode.)
- Tuck in your child and explain that you expect them to stay in their own bed. Tell the child that you will see him/her in the morning.
- Steel yourself for the coming week. Yes, it will take possibly a week or two of this technique. If you cave in even once, you lose.
- If/when the child comes into your room at night, pick them up or take their hand and lead them back to their own room.
- DO NOT talk to them. DO NOT argue with them. DO NOT allow them to keep you from returning them to their bedroom in any way.
- Put child in his or her bed. Kiss them goodnight and return to your room. Do not talk to them, or answer any questions or arguments.
- Repeat as many times as necessary until the child gets the messag. This will be like the first few nights at home with a newborn. It may be grueling. You may be exhausted in the morning. You may want to give in because you are so desperate for just 15 minutes of sleep.
- DON’T GIVE IN.
- The next morning, if you have not killed yourself, reward the child with lots of praise and maybe a treat. Tell them how proud you are of them.
- Repeat this procedure every night until they turn 18 or stop coming into your bed at night.
*This is not for the weak. If you are the type to weenie out, prepare yourself beforehand. The child may cry, call you a bad mommy, try to bargain with you, threaten to hold their breath, beg, plead, use the pouty lip, give you puppy eyes, spin his/her head 360 degrees and projectile vomit green stuff. I repeat: DO NOT GIVE IN. Children are smart and manipulative. They know how to play you like a fiddle. If you follow this plan exactly and consistently for two weeks, Iguarantee it will work. Or your money back.
