In European countries, children are allowed to sleep separately from a very early age. While in Asia or Vietnam it is the opposite. Many parents think that their children are young and need care, so they often sleep in the same bed or in a separate crib/crib/bed in the parents' room. When children have developed cognitive and gender awareness, parents should let their children sleep separately to avoid future psychological problems.
So when is it best for children to sleep alone or at what age is it best to let them sleep alone? What are the benefits of letting children sleep separately? Let's find out in the article below to have the best preparation for your children.
The benefits of letting children sleep separately
It cannot be denied that letting children sleep with their parents will increase the bond, help children sleep easily and parents will also be able to take care of their children more easily. However, when they reach the appropriate age, parents should let their children sleep separately to bring many benefits to the child's development, help parents have their own lives and maintain happiness.
Forming gender awareness
Children from 3 years old and older have begun to form a sense of gender. According to psychologists, children who often sleep with their parents will tend to suffer from "Oedipus complex" - a term used by Sigmund Freud in his theory of psychosexual development stages.
This complex describes a child's feelings of desire for parents of the opposite sex and feelings of jealousy and anger toward parents of the same sex. Therefore, parents should help children distinguish between genders and be independent between men and women as soon as possible by training them to sleep separately.
Cultivate children's independence
From a young age, parents should buy their children a crib or separate bed to help them develop independence. Children will not rely on or nag their parents but will soon become adults.
Besides, children will not feel unsafe when their parents are not around. Training children to sleep separately also helps both parents and babies sleep better and deeper. This is very beneficial for the physical and mental development of children, and parents can also have their own lives and maintain happiness.
When is it appropriate for children to sleep alone?
Right from the time the baby is still in the mother's womb, mother-child love is formed. Especially in the period of children under 3 years old, this sacred affection is clearly expressed through hugging, holding, feeding the baby... The more the mother cares for the baby, the more stable and secure the baby's mentality is. heart.
From 3 years old onwards, children have cognitive development as well as gender awareness. At this time, parents should let their children sleep separately. Because while sleeping together, the baby can accidentally see the intimate actions of the parents, affecting the baby's psychology and emotions. Furthermore, co-sleeping also makes children lack independence and confidence when entering school age.
How to train children to sleep separately?
Normally, training children to sleep separately will go through the following stages:
Stage one: Parents let the child sleep in a separate place right next to the parents' sleeping place. It could be a bed or a crib next to the parents' bed. Children will feel more secure when their parents are around. Parents can also check their child's sleep to ensure safety.
Stage 2: Parents separate the curtain between the baby's sleeping area and the parents'. This will create the feeling that your baby has his or her own space before sleeping completely independently.
Stage 3: At this stage, your baby understands the issue of privacy. Parents let the baby sleep in a separate room that has been prepared. To create excitement for the baby, parents should decorate the room according to the baby's preferences, prepare favorite toys such as teddy bears, toy cars... Moms can also stay and play with them. Read stories to your child before bed to create a sense of familiarity and reduce anxiety.
Note, each stage can last from 1-2 weeks or more depending on the psychological developments of each child. If the baby is scared and does not cooperate, parents should not scold him because it will hurt and haunt him. It is important that parents need to be patient, always encourage and encourage children to gradually build confidence.
With the above information, surely parents have answered the question of when to let children sleep separately and what are the benefits of letting children sleep separately? Mykingdom hopes this article will help parents gain more useful knowledge to prepare fully and thoroughly when caring for and raising children. Don't forget to follow Mykingdom's " Handbook " section to learn more articles.
