Good or bad time to move DS into big boy bed?

[SalsaP]

My just 3 year old DS has suddenly become afraid of the dark. He goes to sleep scared and wakes up scared. It's only been a few days but we've had to stay with him to sleep and rush into his room in the morning as he is crying and frightened. This is a vast contrast to the little lad that would sing himself to sleep and wake up and happily play with his bear in bed until we went in. I know this isn't uncommon at his age.

However, we intended to move him into his big boy bed this week and change one of his cupboards. I'm now unsure if this is a good or bad idea now. On the one hand maybe the freedom of being able to get out of bed will make him feel more relaxed and less trapped. Maybe the change may help change his new fear. On the other hand I'm aware that change itself can be unsettling and bring on problems so perhaps it's best to leave his room the way he knows it. I'm also concerned, selfishly, that being scared and suddenly being able to get out of bed on his own, may lead to him to keep getting out of bed at bedtime and not go to sleep.

Any advise or thoughts? What would you do?

[Piratejones]

I wouldn't do it around Christmas anyway, double for the fact he's waiting up scared.

Do you know what is scaring him?

[SalsaP]

Well he woke up a few mornings ago really upset - it was still dark. I assumed he'd had a bad dream. Since then he's had an issue with bedtime and the dark. It's so sad to see him like this as he's always been so happy at bedtime.

[stressbucket1]

We moved our DD recently she is 2.9 because she was having a few unsettled nights and we were having to go in and reassure her a lot. She has been much better in a bed and comes in to us in the morning. We have a gro clock too so she knows when it's morning. As I see it if he is already unsettled you have nothing to lose. Would one of those night light/torch things be any good?

[SalsaP]

That's interesting stressbucket1. Glad it helped you. I've just been out and bought a cuddly toy that glows to see if that provides any extra comfort tonight. I did see the torch/nightlight product but can only get hold of it online which will take a few days or so.

I've noticed he's not scared of the dark as such but more that he's scared of being in his room on his own in the dark. Other rooms and situations when he is up and about don't seem to bother him. Last night I had his door wide open and the hall light on which made his room far from dark but he was still scared and unsettled.

[stressbucket1]

Ahh poor thing sounds like he is becoming more aware of his surroundings. I would try him in a bed he might feel better if he can get up if he needs to.