My five year old still sleeps in her crib

[Anonymous]

Since I now have a DS, my mom likes to tell me crazy stories about when I was a baby - evidently, I still slept in my crib until I was four. I had no idea, didn't remember. To get me out - they bought one of those huge stuff teddy bears as a sleeping companion. It was comfort, but also served as a guard rail bc "Berry" was on the outside edge of the bed. I slept with Berry for years & years with no idea that is why/how I acquired him.

[Anonymous]

My 5 yo won't leave her toddler bed behind either. It converted from the crib and will (one day) convert into a full bed, but she claims she's comfortable with the bed as is, even with all the animals and blankets she piles in. She sleeps fine on larger beds when we're on vacation or visiting friends, so it's not about fear. She just likes what's familiar. A true crib, without an open side, would be an issue for us because she sometimes uses the bathroom at night, and we're happy to have her entertain herself in her room on weekend mornings.

I don't think it's such a big deal. She's had friends over, and none have ever commented on the bed. There must really be some judgmental kindergarteners out there!

[Anonymous]

I don't drive my Ferrari because I don't have one. My 5 year old doesn't sleep in his crib because he doesn't have one. See how that works?

[Anonymous]

Let her stay in the crib. What is the big deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why why why would someone say she has you wrapped around her finger because she doesn't want to sleep in a bed? I have four kids. One loved the swing, three hated it. Two were breastfed and two never got into it and were formula fed. A couple were dry-at-night from early on and a couple were still in pull-ups much later. One spoke at 10 months - didn't hear a peep out of her sister until she was 16 months. Two eat everything, one practically only eats toast and one cannot really decide. One likes to sleep with the light on. One likes a dark room. One likes the bathroom light to be on. One likes her door shut (but not shut-shut). I probably fall into the category of being a more strict mom - rules, consequences and routines, but I can honestly say that all kids are so different. OP your child will ditch the crib at some stage. Why judge yourself by people who have decided that some arbitrary book "I got to chapter four hear me roar" gives them the right to uproot your little one from their preferred place of sleep JUST BECAUSE. The saddest posts on this site are from parents who are desperately worried that their small kids are not "tracking for Harvard" What gets lost in all the semantic and didactic muddle is that kids with good parenting, loads of love, humor, support and positive reinforcement will have a great start, regardless on whether your friends put them in a big bed before you did. One of my kids wanted a bottle much later than the others. Two cannot be separated from their cuddlies. What I refuse to do is let some DCUM 'normal' deprive them of something they love and does no harm.

I really liked this. Can I come and find you if I have my 4th?

I so completely agree. This should be the new DCUM mentality. (Ha, if only)

[Anonymous]

Maybe try putting the crib mattress on the floor as an intermediate step? We did that with our younger dd - one grew fewer thing to adjust to

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a big deal and I wouldn't worry about it. But wanted to suggest maybe taking one of the side rails off the bed so she can get in and out buy herself, essentially turning the crib into a toddler bed. MAybe this would help ease the transition. Or you could prepare her for transitioning the summer before Kinder - but I would be careful with this because Kinder is a big transition in itself. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Does she have other anxieties, too? You may want to keep an eye out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't really care where she slept, except I'd be concerned that she might be teased about it at some point if she has friends over.

This. I would let it go for now.

+1. Who cares if she still likes to sleep in her crib. What harm is it? At least she is sleeping! That's all that matters. However, she may get teased about it. That is the only reason I would want to help her move on. But really, it is harmless!

[Anonymous]

how does she get out to use the toilet? it can't be safe to climb in/out of it by herself. it's just not practical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this is about teaching your child to adjust and adapt. My DD was out of the crib at less than a year old (she climbed out), toddler bed until 4, queen size ever since. DS was out of the crib at 2 (my choice). Is your DD in daycare? What did she sleep on for naps?

You are really bragging that your kid went from a crib to toddler to queen? I find this a much weirder post than the OP.

My child did that too. Not bragging, but I thought that was pretty normal. I have never heard of a 5/6+ old still sleeping in a crib.

[Anonymous]

I see no reason to move her out. Enjoy that she is not wandering the halls at night! We moved our girl when she turned 4, but she would gladly have stayed in the crib. Looking back, I don't remember why we were anxious to move her. Her little sister is now 3, and I'll keep her in her crib as long as she likes (or outgrows it). I do recommend a bed rail. It made dd feel safe in the big girl bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why why why would someone say she has you wrapped around her finger because she doesn't want to sleep in a bed? I have four kids. One loved the swing, three hated it. Two were breastfed and two never got into it and were formula fed. A couple were dry-at-night from early on and a couple were still in pull-ups much later. One spoke at 10 months - didn't hear a peep out of her sister until she was 16 months. Two eat everything, one practically only eats toast and one cannot really decide. One likes to sleep with the light on. One likes a dark room. One likes the bathroom light to be on. One likes her door shut (but not shut-shut). I probably fall into the category of being a more strict mom - rules, consequences and routines, but I can honestly say that all kids are so different. OP your child will ditch the crib at some stage. Why judge yourself by people who have decided that some arbitrary book "I got to chapter four hear me roar" gives them the right to uproot your little one from their preferred place of sleep JUST BECAUSE. The saddest posts on this site are from parents who are desperately worried that their small kids are not "tracking for Harvard" What gets lost in all the semantic and didactic muddle is that kids with good parenting, loads of love, humor, support and positive reinforcement will have a great start, regardless on whether your friends put them in a big bed before you did. One of my kids wanted a bottle much later than the others. Two cannot be separated from their cuddlies. What I refuse to do is let some DCUM 'normal' deprive them of something they love and does no harm.

Finally, a voice of reason.

[Anonymous]

My dad claims he slept in a crib until a late age (4 maybe?) and then his older brother's friends teased him and that was the end of it.

[Anonymous]

Maybe my kid was big, but no way could he have fit safely in his crib at 5. Also what about having to go to the bathroom? Although maybe your kid is that mysterious no need to pee during the night kid...just being sarcastic. Unfortunately DS takes after me and is a night peeer.