As your child gets older and older, the hope is that they’ll become more and more independent. However, even as they get smarter, stronger, and more capable, they’ll always be your baby—and they’re aware of that too. You’ll start to notice that they may try to crawl into your bed in the middle of the night, whether it’s due to a nightmare or because they just want to be near their parents. But should you be encouraging this behavior?
Showing Them Love
On one hand, it’s probably not the best idea to constantly ward them off. If your child is coming into your bed at night, you need to shower them with love and support. After all, you’ve been giving them that parental warmth their entire life, so you don’t want to shock their system by withholding it all of the sudden.
Cutting The Cord
At the same time, you also need to “cut the cord”, as they say. While it’s important to make your child feel welcome if they need you at night, you shouldn’t encourage them to do it. If they come, let them, and be there for them. But also communicate with them the importance of sleeping in their own bed. Tell them that they’ll be a “big boy” or “big girl” if they sleep if their bed the whole night, which will be an incentive for them to do it.