The ONE Rule - Silent Return

Initial Rule

As you get started, I recommend you set one simple rule that your child has to follow in order to earn a reward or be praised in the morning. It should be a rule that encourages a very, very small victory at first. Just a small step toward improvement based on whatever your starting point is. And I suggest making it something that you as the parent can actually control. This helps ensure that your child will be successful and the process gets off on the right foot. 

Here are some examples in the following format 'Situation....... Rule'

*Your child has never fallen asleep without you in the room..... Fall asleep without a parent in the room* (this is the best one to start with)
Your child falls asleep alone but turns on the lights for sleep .... Fall asleep without the lights on (you have removed the bulbs first)
Your child asks for the other parent to come in for one last hug and you allow it but it always seems to make things worse .... Fall asleep without seeing Daddy again

Rule as you Progress

Once your child is used to the new sleep strategy, you can start to make the rule a little more challenging based on the behavior that you are trying to modify

Here are some examples in the following format 'Situation....... Rule'

* Your child understand the limits but blows through them .... Fall asleep without having the door secured* (this is the one that works best)
Your child stays in the room but makes a mess or plays with toys .... Don't make a mess or play with toys
Your child is banging on the door and making noise .... No more banging