DS (8) waking at 3.30am every day

[margaritasbythesea]

Any tips to help him get over it?

He has been a bit poorly and been having nightmares some nights but he is also a light sleeper and sometimes is just awake.

If course I'm happy to give him a cuddle and reassurance if he is ill or frightened by a nightmare. He comes in for a quick cuddle, and then I take him back to bed.

He is then up at 6.45 with me with no problem.

It seems to be turning into some sort of weird habit though, and I don't want to have to get back to sleep at that time every day. I'm getting really tired.

I'm going to give him a digital clock tonight and tell him to check it to see if it's getting up time or not.

I used to take him to the loo in the night when he was tiny to prevent early waking but he is too big now.

The problem is has been going on for a couple of weeks, maybe less.

He shares a room. The other one sleeps like a log but is now beginning to stir when he wakes too.

Any ideas?

Hopeful bump.

I think all you can do is give him
The clock as you suggest. Tell him to go to the toilet straight away and try and settle himself back to sleep.

Be honest with him. Say he can come to you if he is genuinely scared or ill but that you need your sleep and you are getting really tired.

He is old enough to understand.

Good luck.

Thanks. He's a good chap but this is a phase that needs to be over quickly!