Hands up if you have a toddler ready to transition out of their crib or toddler bed? 🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Before making any changes to sleeping arrangements, consider whether the transition is for the good of your child/family, or if you’re feeling external pressure to make a move (read: ignore the shady advice that the toddler sleeping in your bed will never make it to a dorm room without you 🙄).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If it’s time, here are my 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗦 to make the transition as smooth as possible:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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✨ 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧: Get all your ducks in a row before telling your child about the move. Nothing spells disaster like a parent who isn’t confident in the decision being made. Plan for when you’ll make the change (first thing in the morning? Post nap? On a weekday or weekend?) and how you’ll do it (will you need an extra set of hands to manage the kids while you’re busy building furniture?)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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✨ 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞: Talk to your child ahead of time, and help them feel at ease with the change by showing them what will change, and more importantly, what will stay the same (including how you’ll support their needs)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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✨ 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲: Give your child an opportunity to explore the change through play. Consider role playing where they can express their emotions towards the change. And, when the new sleep space is all set up, give them an opportunity to play in the room until they feel more comfortable. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Anticipate a few rough bedtimes (and possibly nights as well!) while your child acclimatizes. Don’t be afraid to offer more support than you’re used to, it’s absolutely okay! I spent more than one night in this new bed testing it out with my son 😂⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you run into a bedtime battle, be sure to check out my free toddler bedtime guide, available through the link in my bio⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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