My 3-year-old son still sleeps with me. I just got a new part-time nanny and she says I'm stunting his development. Now I'm starting to feel guilty. Am I copping out? - Anna
Answer
First, I don't think 3 is too old. My almost four-year old either sleeps with me or one of her sisters; she wont sleep in a bed alone. Doesn't bother me, and it isn't stunting anything, except maybe my sleep. The one before her stayed in my bed every night until her fifth birthday, and most nights until her sixth. - Hanan
Me, personally, I don't care for co-sleeping. I just think its easier to start off with everyone in their rooms. That way, when they do get older, and the parents want their beds back, there's no fussing and complaining about it. - April
The only time it is inappropriate to co-sleep is when a parent demands it and the child does not want to or when the parents are burdened and resentful of the child in the bed. My son slept with is until he was 5. I did not mind at first but eventually it became a burden on my personal relationship with my husband. I gave my son a date, bought a brand new bed for him and that was that. I did reward him after a full week of sleeping in his own bed by taking him to the toy store. We used stickers to mark how many days so he could keep track. After a week of just about anything they get used to it. He has been in his bed for almost 3 months and we have had no problems. So to shorten, the answer lies in you and your child not an outsider who thinks they know best. - LadyBelle
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