6. Mistake: Going from a crib to a big bed too early
Your child turns 2 — what a big guy! — and you want to celebrate by buying
that cute toddler bed you saw on sale. But as soon as you make the switch,
he starts getting up after lights out or waking up in the wee hours.
Why? Before the age of 3 or so, many kids are just not ready to leave the
crib behind. "They don't have the cognitive development and self-control to
stay within the imaginary boundaries of a bed," says Mindell.
Good habit: Wait till your child is ready for a big bed
When a child is close to 3 years of age, it might be time to move him to a
bigger bed. Might is the operative word: If your preschooler has difficulty
staying in bed at that age, you can always give it more time.