“Every child has its own time to sleep alone, around 4 years is the usual time to do it, the key is to be persistent. There are more independent or mature children, others still need the supervision of their parents and you have to be very patient as this need can be due to many factors, including fear of the dark ”, highlights Dr. Mary Castro, psychologist at our clinic, who provides us with useful guidance on the subject

What consequences can the child have for sleeping with his/her parents?

In the first place, it will have an impact on the formation of their personality, since the boy or girl will establish an affective dependence with their parents and with other people, which may generate insecurity, since they will feel the need to be next to someone in order to move forward and the child will not be able to solve his/her own problems. In addition, it may make it difficult for him or her to adapt to new situations or environments.

What are the keys to getting your child to sleep alone?

• It is not enough to ask him or her to go to his/her room, you can motivate him/her, explaining that by sleeping in his/her room he/she will have more space.
• Seek to flatter him/her, highlighting how big he/she is and how proud they are as parents that he/she goes to sleep alone.
• You can decorate the room to his/her liking, so that it is perceived as his/her own space and identifies with it.
• Before you leave, you could leave a dim light in his/her room and get into the habit of putting him/her to bed at the same time.
• Establish a routine before bedtime, you can read a story, include a good night kiss, pray, etc. Something must always be done that is brief and convenient to us.

Our specialist recommends avoiding:

• Pressuring children to sleep alone and closing the bedroom door can make it harder for them to want to be alone
• Leave the television on or take them to sleep in your room in the middle of the night at minimum call
• Always get up to accompany him/her to the bathroom. If the child is old enough to be able to do it alone and did it before, he/she will not have a problem. However, it is suggested to put a lamp in the room, leave the hall light on or that the switches are within reach of the minor

Dr. Mary Castro
Psychologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma