Sleep Training...some of these ideas make me feel ill

Nov 15, 2009 at 09:45 PM

on the LLL forums the moms are talking about sleep training.

A good few of the mothers beleive in locking children in their room through the night

and letting them cry

once they hit one and a half or two.

Ugh the very idea makes my skin cra wl! Is it just me or does that seem totally dangerous and also emotionally damaging???

My first thought is the poor frightened children crying for HOURS- this has been shown to be stressful and also emotionally damaging to a childs emotional development. Gosh when i remember what I can remember of being that young...That would have scared the crap out of me.

And my second thought is what if there was a FIRE or something? What if someone broke in? What if there was a disaster, a terrorist attack, ect....

What if something happened and mom and dad couldnt get to the child - the child is left locked in his room while the house burns down. Oh my gosh this just sends warning signals up for me.

Rhapsody · Nov 15, 2009 at 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainbowzz

Is it just me or does that seem totally dangerous and also emotionally damaging???

No - it is not just you... I too cannot believe that a loving parent would do such a thing to a poor little child that is having sleep issues, they are so small and probably scared to death and locking them in a room in the dark will only add to the insecurities most children go through at such a young tender age.

I personal did not believe in using night nights when my boys were born, therefore, they were never afraid of the dark and they always went to bed willingly with the lights out and door shut, but they always knew they could open the door and come to mom or dad when needed.

NuckingFutz · Nov 15, 2009 at 11:57 PM

Well, maybe in a couple of decades they will come find pc and we can help them with their anxiety issues. What dunderhead came up with that idea and why?

LMo · Nov 27, 2009 at 01:44 AM

well, I have a 1.5 year old and I can't do it either. Most nights, she wakes up after 2-6 hours and ends up in bed with me. I can't bear to hear her cry, all alone in the dark. Fine if people think Im a wimp or an indulgent mother, but I don't see how someone so small can benefit from the 'lesson' of being left alone to cry in the dark. It just feels wrong.

wanttoheal · Nov 27, 2009 at 01:23 PM

I think that in general, people don't like to sleep alone. Mom and dad sleep in same bed a lot of times. People sleep with their dog(s) or their cat(s). People sleep with stuffed animals. It's not any different for a child. It's just my opinion, but I don't see why children have to sleep alone when everyone sleeps with someone/something when they are older, if that's what they need. Some children don't need/want to sleep with someone/something else. Some adults don't. But I think it's okay if they do.

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Sleep Training...some of these ideas make me feel ill

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NuckingFutz Pet Lady of Psychcentral Member Since Sep 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 4,564 19 71 hugs given	Nov 15, 2009 at 11:57 PM #3 Well, maybe in a couple of decades they will come find pc and we can help them with their anxiety issues. What dunderhead came up with that idea and why?
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LMo Elder Member Since Jan 2003 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 6,224 21	Nov 27, 2009 at 01:44 AM #4 well, I have a 1.5 year old and I can't do it either. Most nights, she wakes up after 2-6 hours and ends up in bed with me. I can't bear to hear her cry, all alone in the dark. Fine if people think Im a wimp or an indulgent mother, but I don't see how someone so small can benefit from the 'lesson' of being left alone to cry in the dark. It just feels wrong.
	Reply With Quote