Share
Ages:
all

Learning

Quiz: How Should You Escape From Your Childs Room At Bedtime?

By Jen Schlumberger Warman
Photo by Aynur Shauerman / 123rf

Apr 21, 2016

Congratulations! You finally got your child to sleep.

Sure. It might have taken three bedtime stories, followed by six more. And then a glass of water. And a trip to the bathroom. Followed by, “only two back tickles!” Which somehow turned into five.

But—you did it! Your child is sleeping and now you finally have some much-needed alone time.

IF you can get out of the room without waking your child.

Take our quiz to find out which technique you should use to escape.

1. How old is your child?

2. Does your child sleep in a crib or a bed?

3. Are there squeaky floors in your child's bedroom?

4. How much physical effort are you willing to exert to get out of your child's room?

5. Is your child almost asleep or definitely asleep?

6. How do you feel about telling your child little white lies?

7. Are you willing to leave a piece of clothing behind when you escape?

The Army Crawler

This technique was invented by the army for parents of children in cribs. It was later adapted for military use.

If your child opens her drowsy eyes while you’re leaving the room, drop to the ground immediately. Out of sight, out of mind. Army crawl your way to freedom.

Want more techniques? 

How To Escape From Your Sleeping Child’s Bedroom

escapethebedroom_sleepcrib

The Creaky Floorboard Waltz

You know exactly where your floor is creaky. Therefore, you’ve developed a very specific set of dance moves in order to avoid these landmines of sound.

“A step to the left and lean to the right, turn your hips three quarters and jump out of sight!”

TIP: If your significant other can’t remember where the creaky spots are (even though you’ve told him or her 10 times), it can be helpful to mark the safe spots with glow-in-the-dark tape.

Want more techniques?

How To Escape From Your Sleeping Child’s Bedroom

escapethebedroom_sleep8

The Shirt Shimmy

Your snoozing darling is off in la-la-land and you’re ready to make a run for it, but there’s one problem: she has a Vulcan death grip on your shirt.

The solution? Slither your way out of your shirt and make a grand escape. The saying “I’d give you the shirt off of my back,” came from a parent using this technique.

Want more techniques?

How To Escape From Your Sleeping Child’s Bedroom

escapethebedroom_sleep9

The Sprint

Sometimes, you just need to make a run for it. You’re in and out of the room in 0.5 seconds. You close the door behind you and hold your breath. “Was it a success?”

This technique has a 50% success rate.

Want more techniques?

How To Escape From Your Sleeping Child’s Bedroom

escapethebedroom_sleep9

The Toddler Bed Twister Game

Getting out of a toddler bed un-noticed requires basic contortion skills and core strength.

Once you unwind yourself from the strange and twisted position you’ve assumed next to your child in a three-foot bed, lower your left hand onto the ground. Take a deep breath and slowly shift your weight onto this hand. Then, slowly lift your left leg and place it on the ground. Take another deep breath. Once you’re in a stable side-plank position, lift the rest of your body out of the bed (assuming it hasn’t fallen asleep and you can still feel your limbs).

Tip: If you collapse during this maneuver, lie very still on the floor and hope that your child didn’t notice the *thud*.

Want more techniques?

How To Escape From Your Sleeping Child’s Bedroom

escapethebedroom_sleep10

The Negotiator

They’re flipping. They’re flopping. They’re *this close* to sleep, but they don’t want you to leave the room yet.

You’re being held captive, so you make an attempt to negotiate with the kidnapper (funnily enough, this kid is not napping).

You do what anyone held captive would do: you tell a little white lie. “I just have to go to the bathroom, I’ll be right back.”

In his semi-sleepy state, your child agrees to your brief departure.

You tip-toe out quietly, and then...Don’t. Go. Back.

Want more techniques?

How To Escape From Your Sleeping Child’s Bedroom

Start Over >
Article Author Jen Schlumberger
Jen Schlumberger

Read more from Jen here.

Jen Schlumberger is a Digital Producer for CBC Parents by day and the snuggly mama of two young kids by night. On her blog The Parenting Realist, she shares her comedic adventures in parenting. Her favourite things in life, in no particular order, include: arm-tickles, laughing, spending time with her kids, being anywhere near a lake, writing, creating, yoga and eating cereal. Jen also does stand-up comedy every now and then, whenever she can manage to stay up past her bedtime. She believes the best place to live is outside of your comfort zone. Follow her on Instagram @TheParentingRealist.