Parents Locked Their 3 Year Old Child In His Room To Save Their Marriage!
I read the article as well as many others like it. I feel for them BUT definitely do not agree with their methods. I have three special needs children and have had to do everything I can think of to keep them safe.
The eldest – I had to put an alarm on her door so at least we knew when she was roaming.
The middle – was a little houdini. He would always escape car seats, cribs, etc… But ultimately he grew out of it.
The youngest – very much like the child in this article. Constantly freaking out to be in our bed; Up at all hours of the night; fearful of every little thing; and when up – into mischief and not so safe situations.
I have lived this way for almost twenty years without almost ever getting more than 5 hours sleep. But I would never resort to locking my child in her bedroom. Alarms sure – I need to what she is up to but a lock and taking off the doorknob. No way.
Fortunately you should all know there are ways to get through it. My youngest is 7 and she has successfully and safely stayed in her bed for a month now. I was beginning to think she was going to be 15 and still in our bed. She is still up by 6am on non-school days but that is a far cry from the 4am mischief. I have always called her my two hour child – that is the most she would ever sleep at any one time therefore I had to adapt.
How did I get through it with my last child? With a SensaCalm weighted blanket. Now this may sound like an infomercial but seriously – it is the best product I have ever come across for children with anxieties and so many other issues. SensaCalm makes therapeutic weighted blankets that are customized based on the child’s weight and size. They make the child feel secure and safe. My life has literally changed since bringing that blanket into our house.
Look how nicely she sleeps now – all snuggled up in her own bed.