My 3 1/2 year old will only sleep if he is in bed next to me, whether his bed or mine, the minute i move him to his or think he is asleep and move away from his he awakes. Have tried lots of things. Went to a special sleep clinic, which worked to actually get him to sleep early evening but didn't cover keeping him in his own bed. A rod was made when we were unfortunately all living in one room until I was housed but that was ages ago now HELP guys all ideas welcome

Wish I could help Elaine but my 5 yr old has only recently started to sleep in his own bed all night!
He had to share a room with us until he was about 4 so then we found it hard to move him, it's only been possible now with the help of star charts & rewards

my son is nearly three and half way through the night he always gets in with us

yep i think as nicky says lots of praise that he is a big boy sleeping in his own room and stuff , i know its hard but keep taking him bak to his room and trust me in the end he will sleep in all night it will take time tho , this is good time of year too as you can tell him santa is watching and he loves boys and girls who can sleep in there own bed all night , hope this helps

I agree with Nicky, star charts, rewards, stickers etc. Talk to him and explain that big boys sleep in their own bed in their own bedroom, is he frightened of being alone? If he is how about giving him a 'special sleep time bear', or a plug in thingy that gives off a very dull light (sorry not sure what they'r called). Would it work to put a safety gate on his bed room door? Sorry cant be much help as my daughter is 1 n in a cot

yep must say star charts work a treat with all sorts of 'problems' with young children, praise works so well, you need to stick to your guns and create bounderys that he will know and understnad, put him in his own bed and explain to him he needs to sleep there like a big boy etc, even if he wakes half way throu the night tell him he's such a big boy for staying there and take him back, if you keep the same rountine and same bounderies it will work in the end, you make have lots of sleepless nights, and may need to get up n down loads but it will work!! when i was nannying i stayed at their house for 2 weeks to help them get one of their boys to sleep in his own bed!! good luck x

Thanks guys for all your suggestions. Will keep trying and keep you posted on progress. Like the Santa watching bit and used reward chart for initially getting him too sleep so will set up another. Already tell him big boys sleep in own bed bit and he has a night light and special teddy. Looks like I'm gonna be up and down for a while at night (so much easier at times to let him sneak in next to me especially on cold nights, but will be strong) THANK YOU

gaffa tape works wonders pmsl

Try just putting him back into his own bed without speaking. It takes a while but it normally does the trick eventually!

Getting there. Had a week of getting up and taking him back in a a few tears and tantrums but last couple of nights he has woken I've led him back and he has stayed there until about 6 which I then don't mind him getting in with me for an hour. First week I gave him a star and 10p haribo sweets for doing well and trying and this week bought him a little hotwheels car cos him suck a big boy now sleeping in own bed. Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. Much appreciated. Elaine

Yay wd Elaine

The only advice I can offer is patience and persistence. Put him to bed and leave him to cry for 5-10 minutes before going up to him If he gets up keep putting him back into his bed. Stay calm and do not give into him it will eventually pay off...This worked for me.