In many young families, the question "if you are young, let your children sleep separately?" is always controversial. Everyone wants their child to be strong and independent, but they are also afraid that separating too early will confuse them. The seemingly small story that touches the sensitive area of maternal love, both loving, caring, and not knowing what is standard.
Children can sleep separately from 2 - 3 years old, but it depends on each child
According to Dr. Maria Jensen, a pediatric psychologist at Children's Hospital of Minnesota (USA), children aged 2-3 can start practicing separately if their signs of readiness are clear: "Children stay up late, know how to express emotions and are not too anxious when separating from their mother. If these factors do not exist, parents should not force them because they are counterproductive.
Many children are only 4-5 years old when they really feel secure when sleeping alone. That is completely normal. There is no " Starting line" of the same for every child.
Parents also need to review themselves: are you ready? Many parents say they want their children to be independent, but their hearts are soft and won't mind leaving their children at midnight. prone sleep is a journey of both sides, not just for children.
Creating rituals before bed, the key to reducing anxiety
Dr. Jensen emphasized that children need to feel safe before leaving the room: A repeat process, reading, leafing, turning off the lights, helps children know that even though they sleep alone, their parents are still right outside the door.
Some families also gave "safe items" such as cotton animals, soft blankets, and light yellow sleeping lights. Small things but create a feeling of protection.
More importantly, don't use sleep alone as a punishment or a trade-off. Children need to understand that it is a step towards maturity, not a distance.
No matter when to choose, the core is still patience and listening. Children grow up not only by the age milestone, but by the understanding of their parents. And when the child was confident enough to close his eyes in his own room, that was also the time when the family took another soothing milestone in the family's journey to adulthood.
