Locking children in their bedrooms

The child in question is very bright and creative and generally a delight. Apart from their own lack of sleep they were also concerned that occasionally the child appeared to be sleepwalking and they were worried that she would fall down the stairs.
I am touched by everyone's concern and support
Thank you

greatnansuch as?

One of my gc walked in his sleep, so my daughter left the door open but with a gate which was firmly attached to the door frame - he never attempted to climb over it, even when he was tall enough, but if he had she was going to get an electrician to fix up some kind of alarm activated by touch.

When my DD was born and my DS (aged 3 at the time) had to move to the spare room a floor above us, he was constantly out of bed and down the stairs. Our solution was to put a stairgate across his bedroom door. We let him know that he could get out of bed if he wanted, and even play with his toys, but leaving the room was not an option.

We had about 3 nights of him wearing himself out wailing at the gate and then he stayed in bed and was fine, and the stair gate went.

No cox a small child on a floor on his own during the night, children are often scared, not on.
I am still traumatised 60 years on from having been shut in the dark.

I agree, not on to lock a child in a bedroom or ignore his wails when he is confined away from the rest of the family.

Gosh I really hit a nerve here. It has really helped me knowing there is such support out there. You are all very caring GPs. The situation hasn't been resolved; she is locked in but I have to say that there is no change to be seen in my grand daughter. She is the same lively, loving, ebullient child she was before this problem arose.
As a child I went through a phase of wandering at night and eventually my father banned me from my parents bedroom so I just used to cuddle up with my older sister instead.

My 3 year old grandson hits the roof if his twin brother tells him Dora the Explorer is going to come in the bedroom when he is asleep, so heaven knows what he'd be like if he was locked in his bedroom. He likes to be able to go to the safety gate at their open door and check his mummy is on the scene.

When I was about 9 and shared a bedroom with my young sister, my parents put a latch on the outside of the bedroom door - a simple hook and eye - so my sister wouldn't wander out. They explained to me that it was actually loose and if I pushed hard it would give way, but they just wanted to keep my sister safe. That did the trick.

Just a quick update - they no longer lock the door but haven't told her that it isn't locked. The strategy seems to have worked but I don't think the end justifies the means.

hi Humbert glad to hear the door isnt locked any more,we have had this problem with GD who lives with us since she came to us aged 4..she is now 13,we have also had many sleepness nights with her and crying ..we are fortunate as we know what her emotional problems are caused by..we keep all bedroom doors open...although this dosent give us much privacy...as she frequently comes in in the night for a cuddle and reassurance..I know how exhausting this is as we escort her back to bed after a cuddle we have to leave lights on...she wont even go to bed unless one of us are upstairs..either reading or on GN.....just saying that I understand how wearing it is for the parents....but I hated the tought of a locked door

Difficult situation nelliedeane I admire you. Have some for being the caring, wonderful gran that you are.

The sleep 'expert' deserves a slap around the head.

He/she has not solved the so-called problem, just put a physical barrier in front of the child.

The parents know, deep inside, that to lock the door was wrong ...... otherwise they would just keep the door locked; if it wasn't risky then, what's wrong with locking it now?

The child should be told that her door is no longer locked.