Should I leave her alone?

[Gimmeesugar]

My 3.5 year old had a few weeks of bad dreams. These have mostly gone now but the legacy of them is she now refuses to go to sleep without one of us in the room. She’s also waking in the night and demanding the same. I’ve tried sitting outside the room but she goes mad and starts having a tantrum shouting about how angry she is.

I’m trying to work out how strict I should be. Should I leave her to cry or stay in with her. I’d understand if she was really scared but I think it’s gone beyond that and now she’s just demanding me there because she wants it. Any ideas?

Do u leave your hall way light on for her? Or does she have a night light?after bad dreams she maybe a bit scared. I would just put her back in bed then leave keep doing that,if u start staying with her u wont get her out that habit .get a reward chart and say if u stay in bed u get a sticker.

As hard as it is, I disagree about you not "getting out" of habits - I'd let her have your company for a while and sit with her in the room while she needs you.

DS2 was quite a needy little soul at night time and often wanted one of us. I bought a kindle paper white so I could sit in his room and read for 30 minutes while he went to sleep and it simply meant that the tantrums and dramas didn't happen. He's 7 now and hasn't asked me to do it in years - I think 3 is still very little to sleep through on her own, especially if she's had a rough patch. Go with what works for you, but leaving her to cry just sounds sad.