Probably bad advice

My youngest has just moved from a cot into a "big bed". Out of all the kids this has been the easiest transition. In the previous three attempts there are have been weeks of putting the child back in bed until you want to use super glue to keep them there.

This guy has had a couple of nights mucking about in his room, but not coming out to say "Hi" every few minutes. It's been great.

The nicest part of the whole experience is that we haven't had to use our tried and proven child torture method Removing the soft toy. We have given all our kids a few soft toy things to sleep with each night (ducks, bears, pigs, penguins) and the kids have become attached to these toys. It's very cute and very practical. After you've put them back to bed for the second time you can say

"If you get out of bed again I'll take ".

We've usually started with a less significant toy and on a few occasions worked up to the final, favourite, night companion - that will only happen once, then they learn.

Ok, it's probably torture, but water-boarding is ok, so I can sleep well at night. It's certainly easier than having to sit outside the bedroom door and hold it shut (true story, not mine).