How Do You Protect Toddlers Who Break Crib Curfew?

Dear Sleepless in Bed,


Welcome to parenthood. When my daughter was small, she did the same thing because they all do. She had super long dark hair, wide brown eyes to match, and a stone-faced glare that, in the right light, sent chills up my spine. Sometimes, I'd wake and she would be standing over me —STARING — two inches from my face. Other times, she would gently brush a tiny finger across my eyelashes and maniacally laugh when I shot out of bed, clutching my heart. Luckily, my little sweetheart wasn't a climber, so the horror for me didn't start until she was three-years-old. All the same, once all hell broke loose, those random nighttime visits happened every two minutes. My advice: buy stock in Kleenex now so you can afford to pay for therapy later because your party is just getting started. (I'm kidding, but also not.)

While it may be nerve-wracking and somewhat scary, most parents go through this at some point, so try not to stress. As for what to do, I'm not sure there is a single solution as every situation is different. For instance, maybe your son would sleep better if he skipped a few naps or had a full belly. Or perhaps a weighted sleep sack would limit movement and settle any separation anxiety he may be experiencing. 

Whatever his reason for throwing twilight pajama parties, I'm sure it won't last long. But finding a quick fix to put your mind at ease until the next milestone occurs can prove to be challenging. One thing you can do is tie a few bells to his doorknob (and yours) that would signal you in the event of a security breach. You could also try lowering the crib mattress and removing any toys, bedding, or bumpers he might otherwise use to pole vault his way out of bed. Also, make sure your crib isn't sitting next to a dresser. If your son is already scaling those prison walls, it won't be long before he figures out how to climb down a ladder of open drawers —a dangerous hack that could lead to serious injury.

Besides that, tons of books and online resources addressing sleep-related issues are right there at your fingertips, so take advantage of technology and find what works best for you. Just promise not to lock him inside of his room like this family did because that shit would traumatize anyone. And remember, parenting is not a perfect science; it's an Olympic sport that requires love, patience, and a whole lot of caffeine. Do yourself a favor and get some sleep. You're going need it if you want to catch him in the act. 

Got a problem? Yo, I'll solve it. Click to submit.