We had a problem awhile back with our boys getting out of bed a bazillion times every night before finally falling asleep. It was overwhelming for us all, Dee and I would miss out on our only non-hectic time together and the boys were tired.
So we did the “Get Out of Bed Once” Pass. Each boy has a pass, and he can use if to get out of bed one time to take care of whatever need arises. Sometimes it’s an extra hug and kiss, sometimes a trip to the potty or a drink of water. It’s worked wonders and the boys, for the most part, only come out of their room one time. To make it work there had to be a consequence for coming out a second time. For us, it’s having to sleep upstairs in the playroom (they don’t have to sleep there all night, we’re not monsters…we bring them downstairs after they fall asleep). The other night both Trey and Carlos ended up in the playroom, and it turned out to be the sweetest moment. They weren’t goofing around, they knew it was time to sleep, so they snuggled up and fell asleep. No matter how they bicker, fight and push eachother’s buttons….deep down they truly love eachother.