How do you break the habit of a child sleeping in parent's bed?

I babysit my cousin a couple times a month (she is 5 and just started kindergarten). Well, this past weekend I babysat overnight for the first time, and she was awake crying until 4am. I laid on the couch with her all night with the tv on (at first i figured she just missed her mom and didn't think too much into it). Before she fell asleep, though, she said to me ';Can we sleep in mommy's bed? I always sleep in mommy's bed.'; I asked my aunt about it when she came home the next day, and she confessed that my cousin has been sleeping in her bed with her since she got divorced a couple years ago. I told her I felt this was unhealthy for both of them, and she agreed but now doesn't have the heart to kick her daughter out of the bed. Anyone have any suggestions?How do you break the habit of a child sleeping in parent's bed?
Gently but firmly just keep putting the child back into their own bed. And have a bedtime routine. Give the child a bath, read a book, cuddle for a few minutes, whatever, as long as it is something that is getting the child settled down and ready to sleep. TV is not a good thing before bed. It may take a while, but it will work!How do you break the habit of a child sleeping in parent's bed?
It isn't;t unhealthy until one or the other of THOSE TWO finds it to be no longer desirable. Nobody elses opinion on it really matters. If mom is ready SHE may try to start by having a smaller bed put into her room so that her daughter is still there but separated some, then gradually move it away and into her own space. When the big day arrives, she may make it special by having a room decorating party for the two of them.
I'm not sure I agree it's unhealthy, either. But I can understand if the mom wants to reclaim her bed for herself. I'm a softy, so instead of recommending sending the child to her own room cold turkey, I'd recommend having the mom sleep with the child in the *child's* bed for a week or so. Then just snuggle with her and sit on the edge of the bed until she falls asleep for another week. Then sit somewhere else in the room. Then snuggle her and say goodnight and come back and check on her once or twice. Then snuggle her, say goodnight, and finally get some rest in her own bed. It will take a month or so, but it will work. 5 year olds can be reasoned with, too, and she can explain to her daughter that they'll both sleep better and be less tired in the rmoning. Maybe they could also get the daughter a new blanket or a new coat of paint for the bedroom or something to make her own room especially appealing.
you should never start this. it is sick and is more about fulfilling the parents need for closeness. it makes kids feel insecure without their parents and takes years, if ever, to break them of it and to feel okay going to bed alone.
start decorating/painting their rooms of their fave cartoon characters, or their fave colors
I wouldn't say it's ';unhealthy';-- a 'family bed', as they call it, is a personal choice. When my son was a baby and I had no men coming over anyhow, he slept with me. It made me feel good to know that he was safe and close and I loved the bonding time. We'd read until he fell asleep and then I'd turn out the lights and fall asleep, too. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything today. And no, he's not still sleeping with me. What I did to get him sleeping in his own bed was I bought him a nice, cool, bunk bed and I'd spend a long time tucking him in in HIS room in HIS bed. We'd watch an episode of some show, say goodnight prayers, and snuggle and talk a little bit before I got up and left. It's not the same as having him near me but I felt good about the transition. Just make sure that if you're going to tell her all these ideas it's HER idea to transition this child and not yours. Whether you like it or not, some people are okay with this lifestyle and parenting choice and it's not yours to make with her child.
i used too do that when she is sleeping pick her up and put her in her bed