advice wanted-keeping toddlers in bed!

[ludoscotts]

hi our toddler has started showing an interest in sleeping in the single bed in her room instead of her cot. Its a bit hit and miss at the moment some nights she will sleep in cot some she cries to be in the bed, the only thing with the bed is she is getting up earlier. As soon as its getting light she is up and wants to be up playing but if I lie on the bed with her she goes straight back to sleep until her usual waking time. I dont want to fall into this trap but really want her to sleep till her usual time as I work evenings when she goes to bed so getting up an hour and a half early is going to leave me knackered. Any ideas?

[nunheadmum]

We used a Bunny Clock with our little one and it worked a treat. There are 2 pictures - one of bunny asleep and one awake. At night the light goes on behind bunny asleep and then at the time you set, the light comes on behind bunny awake. Little ones can understand that they stay in bed till bunny wakes up. (I think it says it's suitable from 2.5 yrs.)

Looks like they may have brought out a cow version too according to this - but sure it works the same.

http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/detailfash.php?type=FASH&code=A6802&proddesc=Kidsleep+Clock&supercategory=&branch=&wcategory=&catdesc=&treecode=TRE00009

It worked great with our toddler except that now she runs into our room every morning shouting 'Bunny's awake' with such glee!!

[mamalovescheese]

i take it you have black out blinds? I find the kids wake up earlier in summer. Cheap ones at IKEA have worked.

[nancysmum]

would a single bed guard work? she would still be sleeping in her bed, but have the security of a guard at the side (in case she is worried she may fall out). I have one you can borrow (i bought a bed for my daughter complete with guard, but she still wants to sleep with me!) let me know if you're interested in the guard.

[ludoscotts]

hi thanks for all the advice, we have blinds to keep it dark and she has a guard so no worries about falling out think its just the novelty that she can get up whenever she stirs, will get a clock to try but last night she did actually sleep as normal and woke at her normal time all happy so fingers crossed she has herself sorted. lets see what tonight brings! thanks