Raw Parenting Podcast Newsletter - June 2025
Subject:
💤 How We Got Our Toddler to Stay in Bed Again
Hey Raw Parenting Family,
We’ve been in the trenches with Peanut (our 3-year-old) coming out of bed multiple times every night, sometimes 10+ times. With a baby at home and another on the way, we needed a change.
Here’s what was going on:
- She started having nightmares (lions & dragons 😱).
- Big transitions: a new sibling, big-girl bed, starting daycare.
- She needed reassurance we were still there at night.
We tried:
✅ Calmly returning her to bed, over and over.
✅ Letting her sleep on a mattress in our room to survive the chaos.
✅ Tom taking over night returns as the “strict parent.”
But nothing stuck… until we shifted our approach.
What Finally Worked:
1️⃣ Prep Before Bed: We told her,
“If you wake up, take deep breaths, find Freddy (her stuffed animal), and put yourself back to sleep.”
2️⃣ Let Her Feel Her Feelings: When she came out, we calmly asked what she needed and let her fully finish her meltdown without rescuing her.
3️⃣ Empower Her:
After calming down, we’d say:
“Okay, you’re calm now. You can walk back to your room and put yourself to bed.”
4️⃣ No More Stalling: We stopped extra water before bed and recognized stall tactics for what they were.
5️⃣ Reassurance: We discovered she was scared we’d leave her alone, so we intentionally reassured her daily:
“You will never be alone. Mom or Dad will always be here.”
The Results
🌟 The first meltdown lasted 20–30 minutes (yikes).
🌟 By week 3, she was putting herself back to bed after a small cry without waking us.
🌟 Some nights, she’d wake, walk to the door, then turn around and go back to bed on her own.
It’s not instant, but it’s working.
Why This Matters
Teaching your child to go back to bed:
✅ Respects their emotions.
✅ Sets boundaries with love.
✅ Builds confidence in them—and you.
If you’re in this stage of parenting, you’re not alone. These gentle but clear strategies can help your child learn independence while feeling safe.
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Parenting is hard. You’re doing great.
❤️ Tom & Malorie
Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite (or least favorite) children’s books? Do you have a go-to book that your kids adore? Hit reply and let us know, or join the conversation on our latest post.
Reading with your little ones is such a special bonding experience. Let’s make sure the books we choose bring joy, learning, and positivity into their lives!
With love,
Tom & Malorie
The Raw Parenting Podcast
P.S. Want more real talk on parenting? Check out our latest podcast episode for a deep dive into this topic! 🎙️
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See you next month!
