Toddlers are at an interesting stage of independence. Toddlerhood is a phase somewhere in the middle – on the one side, fresh from being infants, toddlers are still dependent on you parents for toddler care. On the other side, however, they have also gained a certain level of independence brought by their newly acquired ability of crawling, walking, holding things, and perhaps mumbling.
For some toddlers, this transition is also seen in the way they see their parents’ bed – or sleeping arrangements in general – as their territory. Some toddlers who are more independent-minded may opt to have their own corners by this time – perhaps a separate, small bed in the parents’ room, or their very own room. Still, there are those who opt to sleep still with their parents – thus, parents’ bed is familiarly associated with sleeping time.
Parents have to be observant of toddler behavior like this. Toddler behavior like gradually dissociating the parents’ bed from the toddler’s own sleeping time – and therefore demanding his or her own space–is a more advanced sign of independence. As such, parents should make the transition smooth. If toddlers voluntarily exhibit this toddler behavior, parents will have an easier time transitioning between sleeping with and without the baby. For such cases, it’s best to have your toddlers’ own little bed inside the parents’ room so toddler care is still possible, especially if they have trouble sleeping.
For children who out-rightly reject this option and who need more toddler care, you must realize that toddler behavior like this must gradually be controlled and stopped, if only to instill a sense of independent toddler behavior. Verbal assurances from you that the new sleeping arrangement would not be too hard, and that you won’t be away in the first place, will do much to calm an otherwise doubtful toddler behavior. Having your toddler’s very own bed inside your room is advisable for children who are yet unwilling to separate. There is a need for this because toddlers’ sleeping habits would be at risk if the transition from parents’ bed to their own bed is not done smoothly.
To make the transition easier, make their very own spaces as comfortable as possible, and rearrange their favorite toys and other things into that space. Parents have gone as far as creating a whole corner, complete with shelves, tables and chairs, and toys for their toddler so she or he feels at home and comfortable. Having your toddler grow in a space that he or she can call entirely his or her own will help a lot in instilling independence, as well as a deeper sense of self.
