Any time I work with a family, it is vital for me to know one thing — will both parents help with sleep training their child?
When you are doing something as important as teaching your child with special needs to sleep through the night, parents have to work as a team. Working closely with a sleep consultant helps to keep you on track and helps you to troubleshoot problems. However, having someone else there with you along the way is beneficial. Here’s why:
The first few nights are always the toughest
You are changing your child’s usual routine to make them independent sleepers. The first few nights are always the most challenging! That means parents’ nights aren’t going to be so restful, either. Ideally, parents want to alternate nights so give the other parent a little rest. This is especially important in families where both parents work.
To prevent the “Good Cop, Bad Cop” dynamic
Kids are incredibly intuitive. When it’s time to start sleep training, it’s important for your child to learn that you and your partner will handle night time in the same exact way. Before sleep training, parents should sit down and review the program and make sure that they are on the same page with the battle plan.
Accountability
When you pursue a new exercise plan, or want to lose weight, it’s best to have someone there to coach you along and hold you accountable for your results. If you have a partner to cheer you for your successes and help you overcome the obstacles you might face, this will help you reach the ultimate goal.
To win together!
It’s a great feeling to know that you and your partner achieved something as a team. You can empower each other to know that you were the ones that taught your child with special needs to sleep through the night on their own!
One-on-one time
One of the biggest questions parents ask is, “When will I have time to spend with my child?” Many dads come home from work when the kids are getting ready for bed. Often, your little one stays up later than they’re supposed to, which makes falling asleep harder. However, if both parents are involved with the bed time routine, it allows your child to get to bed at a reasonable hour, but also to have bonding time between you and your child.
For those single mamas out there, have no fear! Sleep training your child on your own is just as rewarding. You get to take all the credit for your child’s achievements! If there is a grandparent, aunt, uncle, close friend that can help you, enlist them to help you along the way.
Being a parent for a child with special needs presents its own challenges. Knowing that you and your partner can work together to make lasting changes is so empowering!
