We don't expect lightning to strike again. BUT, both my MILs two sons were similar to Aillidh, our DD. Even now, it's hard to get my husband out of bed. He just loves to sleep. He had big problems when he started primary school, as did his older brother, b/c they both still wanted an afternoon kip.
My sister and I both slept like logs as infants and children as well. Sleep is precious!
I try to make my daughter's bed as inviting as possible - the best mattress we could afford, quality sheets, several GroBags so there's always one appropriate to the temperature outside for her to use, dark (blackout blind AND curtain liners), and white noise. I spray the bed w/lavender water before bed, and make sure her sheets, pillow and bedclothes smell fresh.
We close the door and make sure there's no noise or distractions like music, nightlights, etc. So she learned to settle herself from an early age. She has always been placed in her cot to sleep, and we never turned the cot into a play area w/mobiles, toys, etc. Just a couple of her fav cuddlies. That way, she learns that bed is for sleeping in. We don't allow her to take those cuddlies out of the bed. We tell her they are her companions for the night, so during hte day they need their rest and need to sleep in the cot.
I became an insomniac in adulthood, and one of the things I've learned whilst trying to treat it is not to use the bed for ANYTHING other than sleep. The brain then actually becomes conditioned to associate the bed with sleep and adjusts hormone levels for this when you lie down on it.
Also, my husband has a very deep, firm voice. He doesn't give in to antics or game-plyaing. He usually goes in if she plays up, b/c I am a sucker and he just says, sternly, 'It's time for children to zed.'
