Hi Everyone!  My daughter is 2 and a half.  I was always very strict about her not sleeping with us, mainly because I was afraid of the time when we would have to break her from it.  Well, my husband and I went away for a few days for our anniversary.  (It was the first time we both had ever left her over night.)  So when we got back I felt she was a bit traumatized and let her sleep in our bed for a couple nights so she could be comfortable with the fact that we weren't going to leave again... That was over 3 months ago and we haven't been able to get her back into her own bed without huge fights and sleepless nights while she just ends up back in our bed by 5 in the morning and we're all exhausted.  (She's a stubborn one) Does anyone have any suggestions for an easier transition??  Thanks for your advice!

Jennie

With your daughter being 2 1/2 you may just need to let her cry it out for a week or so. I think the longer you wait the longer and harder it will be for her to adjust to her own bed again. If you ever watch Supernanny she is AWESOME and getting kids to sleep in their own beds. Check out some of her books for advice. But, I would plan on a week where it will be your main focus and that way you will be mentally prepared to be tired that week. I wouldn't think it should take longer than that. I think you just have to be the "sleep patrol" and be hard core and she will figure it out. In the long run it is so much better for her and for you and your husband. Good luck!!

We did it like super nanny also but with a twist. Our son was always coming into our bed and is very stubborn, he was a little younger than your daughter. It will not be pleasant and will take a long, long night or two but it works. The first time she gets out of bed you say "it's bed time go to bed" and take her back into her bed. That should keep her for about oh 5 seconds if she is like my son, so the second time you only say "bed". Then after that every time she gets out of her bed you just take her to bed saying nothing. That is how super nanny does it. Well, I did that for two hours.. no joke and my guy would not give up so I took him out into the living room and sat him on the couch (until I realized that I should be on the couch not him and moved him to his naughty stool). I made him sit up straight not leaning back at all and told him to let me know when he was ready for bed. He was so tired. He kept trying to lean back and say your bed and I said no big boys sleep in their own beds sit up and tell me when your ready for your bed. This went on for four hours! He would start falling asleep sitting up and I said are you ready for your bed for 4 hours after the 2 hours of putting him back into his bed. (My husband about lost it after the 2 hours of screaming in the middle of the night so that was why we moved it to the naughty stool in the living room) Then finally I asked are you ready for your bed and he said yes. I carried him to his bed and that was that. 6 hours! I think that it was the hardest thing that I've done so far with my three children to date. But it worked!!! Best of luck!

Awesome Kelly!!! Way to go!! That sounds like it was really tough, but you did it! I just love Super Nanny!!

I would probably go the positive reinforcement route.  Talk up whatever reward you're prepared to offer and remind her at bedtime what fabulous surprise will be waiting when she wakes up in her own bed (not having come into yours).  My daughter was definitely motivated this way at her age and it was much more pleasant to remind her (and nicely say "I'm sorry, but you didn't earn the reward; maybe you'll earn it tonight" when she didn't) of what's waiting for her with success. Also I think it's less confusing to her to have a reward waiting for good behavior since you already permitted it without objection earlier (and for good reason).

At 2 1/2 my daughter was highly motivated by sticker charts and we got a lot of good habits established using them.  I wish you luck.

Thank you ladies for your advice!  I'm prepared to try these methods real soon... I'll let you know how it goes.