Just Lock the Doors Already
If your child is suddenly a midnight wanderer, the simplest (and often safest) thing to do is to lock the door. You might have heard it's a bad idea, but sometimes practicality wins. We installed a little childproof doorknob cover that we bought at Target (the one with a dinosaur on it)—and slept for the first full night in weeks.
Why Are They Doing This?
Kids are curious creatures. They may be looking for you, the bathroom, or just a midnight snack. Who knows? My child once asked me, "Mom, where's the moon?" at 2 AM while standing in the hallway. In all seriousness, it could be a phase of exploration or even fears about the dark.
Cut Down Curiosity
Try adding a nightlight with fun projections. My kid likes to see stars and planets on the ceiling (although it sometimes gets them chatting about astronauts instead of sleeping). You can also keep a few favorite books by their bed. It gives them something to do if they wake up instead of wandering through the dark.
Keep The Routine Boring
Make sure the bedtime routine is mundane. Not in the boring sense, but rather in a calm, predictable way. A bath, a story, and lights out. No need to re-enact a Broadway show every night. We used to have an elaborate routine, but now we keep it simple—three books, not five, and only one rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle." Adding a white noise machine can also help (ours plays an ocean soundtrack, soothing for the grown-ups too).
A Real-Life Fix
Here's an honest scenario: The third time my child came wandering into our room, I picked them up, said, "We're sleeping right now. Let's go back to bed," and then marched them back to their room. I didn't talk more than that. Scratch that, I might have mumbled some sleepy nonsense, but you get the idea. They looked annoyed but went back to bed and, after what seemed like forever, stopped trying.
Don't Forget the Rewards
If all else fails, bribery can sometimes magically make things better. A sticker chart works wonders. Just make sure the prize isn't something like a huge chocolate bar right before bedtime. Trust me.
A Caveat About All This
Look, this isn't going to solve world peace, but it'll help you sleep better. And if it doesn't work, you're still allowed to make coffee your new best friend.