OT: How do you get 3 yr old to stop turning on bedroom light?

[Momto3Disneyprinces]

My 3 yr old is tall for his age, and can turn his bedroom light on and off by himself....He likes to do this even when it is bedtime. (including the middle of the night.) Now, if he were the only one in the room, I would say well, he has to sleep sometime.. But, he shares his room with his 2 brothers. No one is getting enough sleep, and he will not stop turning the light on. I have tried everything. He yes'es me to death, and then does it anyway. Does anyone know if there is a cover or something you can get to keep him from getting to the switch. The bulb is in the ceiling in the middle of the room, so unscrewing it is not really an option. He really is a cutie pie, but boy is he a stubborn little munchkin!!!

 

[mytwotinks]

I would take the light bulb out and start using a lamp in there for light. At night you can unplug the lamp and then he won't be able to turn it on. Good luck!

 

[hebbynan]

We had this problem. Safety First makes a light switch cover that covers the entire switch. You have to put your finger in it kind of sideways to turn it on. It was a pain in the but for us, but it seemed to work, so we put up with the hassle. I can't find a link to it, but we got ours at Walmart.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

Make him a sticker chart. Every morning if keeps the room dark he gets a sticker. The other kids should cheer, "Way to go. Thanks!" or something like that when he puts the sticker on. Tell him when he gets 10 stickers you will ALL go for ice cream, or the library, or whatever is a treat for him. If he does turn on the light, no punishment, but in the morning everyone gathers around with very sad faces and says, "I know you can do it tomorrow night."

This gives him the attention he is yearning for, but in a positive way. Do not remove stickers if he does turn the light on. Give him one reminder before bed. Do not go on and on. He is old enough to get this.

It should take about 3 weeks to change this behavior.

My DH calls be the behavior modification expert. I truly believe any behavior can be changed with positive goals/reinforcement and very doable, definable goals. Always take it one behavior at a time.

 

[*MickeyFan*]

if unscrewing the light bulb isn't an option, we taped down the light switch. You may have to really layer it on. Our DS had a problem with the lights, he would turn them on then lay on the floor and go to sleep. he has a night light in is room that stays on all night too. It's a phase, Good Luck!!

 

[cybrkitn]

I would take the light bulb out and start using a lamp in there for light. At night you can unplug the lamp and then he won't be able to turn it on. Good luck!

That should work until he learns to plug it back in (we did it with our DS5). Ever since we came back from Disney last year, DS5 has been afraid to sleep with the light out. We put two nightlights in his room to help him when he needs to go downstairs to the bathroom. Yet he was still afraid so he would turn on his light in the middle of the night. We finally got him a new lamp and that's what he uses now.

It is frustrating though that he cannot seem to sleep with the light out and a nightlight in his room. I'm hoping he'll out grow it soon.

 

[lalagrace]

laugh in recognition. my almost 3 yr old son does the same thing. thankfully he does not have to share a room, so we dont make an issue of it. usually he just falls asleep with the light on. we tried a night light, but we would unplug it. I really like the chart/stickers idea. I also feel that consistant positive reinforcement is the way to go.
good luck

 

[TheDizMom]

Make him a sticker chart. Every morning if keeps the room dark he gets a sticker. The other kids should cheer, "Way to go. Thanks!" or something like that when he puts the sticker on. Tell him when he gets 10 stickers you will ALL go for ice cream, or the library, or whatever is a treat for him. If he does turn on the light, no punishment, but in the morning everyone gathers around with very sad faces and says, "I know you can do it tomorrow night."

This gives him the attention he is yearning for, but in a positive way. Do not remove stickers if he does turn the light on. Give him one reminder before bed. Do not go on and on. He is old enough to get this.

It should take about 3 weeks to change this behavior.

My DH calls be the behavior modification expert. I truly believe any behavior can be changed with positive goals/reinforcement and very doable, definable goals. Always take it one behavior at a time.

I like this idea, but if he does turn it on that night don't say anything at all the next morning. As the OP said, he wants the attention no matter what kind it is. If he gets no reaction when he does it, other then for you to turn it off again, and he does get the good reaction when he doesn't do it, he will quit in a lot less then 3 weeks. It may require you sitting at the door and turning the light off with no communication for several nights, but if it works it will be worth it. Kids like attention, but they hate it when you ignore them. The more you try and talk to him about not doing it the more he will do it because he is getting a reaction from his parents. Praise the good behavior, ignore the unwanted one, and he'll change his tune.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think this is one of those pick your battle things. You have to decide if you want to fight this one to teach him to obey or just eleminate the problem. If you choose to fight this one, you have to win. I too like positive reinforcement and star charts work well for many children. if that does not work, a consiquence might be the next step. I too agree that having a sibbling in the room makes it a bigger issue. Might it be time for seperate rooms if that is an option.

If you do not want to pick to fight this one, I would bite the bullet and remove the light bulb even though is might be an pain to deal with. Child proof cover or tape might be just as good.

I Really think this is a battle of wills and if you do not fight this one , he will find another one to battle you on. Might be time to teach a lesson on obeying. If you choose to battle, just be sure that you win. Giving up gives too much power to a little one.

 

[Stephres]

That should work until he learns to plug it back in (we did it with our DS5). Ever since we came back from Disney last year, DS5 has been afraid to sleep with the light out. We put two nightlights in his room to help him when he needs to go downstairs to the bathroom. Yet he was still afraid so he would turn on his light in the middle of the night. We finally got him a new lamp and that's what he uses now.

It is frustrating though that he cannot seem to sleep with the light out and a nightlight in his room. I'm hoping he'll out grow it soon.

Um, my eight year old still sleeps with the light on. Sorry!

 

[LSK]

You could try putting a dimmer switch on the light and turning it all the way down before you leave the room for the night. If he does turn the light on, at least his siblings won't have a bright light waking them up. The light will still turn on, but at a very low level.

If you unscrew the light and go the table lamp route, plug the table lamps into timers that make the light turn off after a certain hour. He won't be able to turn them on between the times you set.