By: Emily Thompson
Updated: Oct. 13, 2020
Originally Published: Dec. 27, 2016
Until just a few months ago, my daughter was still happily nestled in her crib. Oh, I see you there, in your perfectly coordinated outfit. You want to know how old she is? shifts gaze, muttering under my breath She’s… well, she’s thrmmhmm. What’s that? You can’t hear me? Okay, fine. She’s… almost 4 years old! There you have it.
I know, I know. It’s astonishing that we’ve managed to keep her there. Please, don’t report us! But here’s the thing: this child, who fearlessly launches herself off playground equipment and performs acrobatics off the couch, never once attempted to escape her crib. It simply never crossed her mind. With no older sibling to inspire curiosity about alternatives, we just… kept her there.
This decision wasn’t just laziness; we actively chose to extend this phase for as long as possible. My frazzled friends with children warned us: “Don’t do it! It’s a nightmare! We’ve spent countless nights holding the door shut while our little one tries to make a break for it.” They urged us to keep her in “baby jail” forever. We promised to think about it.
There was an undeniable comfort in knowing exactly where she was every night. Our routine was simple: shower, brush teeth, read a bedtime story, and tuck her in by 8 o’clock (or thereabouts). Twelve hours later, we would see her on the monitor, happily playing with her stuffed animals and reading books until we were ready to face the day.
Then, one weekend getaway changed everything. The only bed available for her was not a crib. Upon returning home, she confidently declared she was ready for a big kid bed. Foolish us, we believed her.
At first, everything seemed fine. She was elated about her new setup and behaved just like before. But the sense of safety I once enjoyed evaporated instantly. I was suddenly bombarded with nightmares of her wandering outside at night or sneaking into her brother’s room to create chaos. My ability to sleep deeply disappeared overnight.
Once she realized that she could escape, it was game over. The baby now sleeps through the night, while my daughter has transformed into a nighttime wanderer. Our previously peaceful evenings have become a marathon of putting her back to bed. She emerges multiple times each night, claiming she forgot to ask for another hug, needs water, or heard a noise. What used to be cherished quiet time for my husband and me has turned into a two-hour workout of running up and down the stairs.
When I finally lie down to sleep, I tense up, anticipating the creaking of our bedroom door. You’ve never experienced true shock until you wake up to a face just inches from yours, breathing heavily and staring at you. No matter how adorable those little cheeks are, being jolted awake by a tiny voice whispering “Mooommm” is enough to send anyone’s heart racing. And then, in my sleep-deprived daze, I’ll stumble into the bathroom and find her lurking in a corner like a character from a horror film.
This routine repeats several times a night. Despite her nighttime antics, she manages to rise with the sun at 6:30 a.m., often rousing her baby brother along the way.
We’ve tried everything—begging, bribing, yelling, reasoning, even a special alarm clock that worked for a couple of days until she realized it doesn’t have a “Tase for Disobedience” feature. In our most desperate moments, we’ve even fantasized about putting her back in the crib. Why didn’t we just keep her there until college? That would have been completely normal, right?
So here I am, coffee in hand, pleading with you: Unless your child is attempting to vault over the crib in a daring escape, hold on as long as you can. There are plenty of other milestones to celebrate. Yes, they’re growing up, and you’re excited to see their joy when they first climb into that big kid bed, but trust me—they’re not ready. You’re not ready. It doesn’t matter if they’re 12 years old; it’s a trap! Please, for the sake of those of us who are now sleepless, promise us you’ll keep them in the crib as long as you can.
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Summary
Keeping your child in a crib can provide a sense of security for both parent and child. While the transition to a big kid bed can be exciting, it often leads to sleepless nights and unexpected challenges. If your child isn’t ready, consider prolonging that crib phase for a while longer.