12 year old still awake. Tips for sleep?

[T1gerEye]

Yawn. This hasn't happened before. He's had a busy and 'exciting day' and he can't switch off. Now crying and is worried he won't sleep at all tonight

So he's basically all in a tizz. I'm lying with him but I'm getting tired myself and trying to hide my frustration. Which I'm doing wonanfully!

Anyway any tips? His eyes are killing him so he can't read. He doesn't want to listen to anything and I'm not going g to hand him his iPad!

Any ideas?!

Hot milk?
Chamomile tea?

I'm trying the hot milk!

Forgot to mention his grandad also died today - well yesterday now - which isn't helping despite the death being expected

How are you doing op? Did you manage to get him off to sleep ok? Sounds like your poor lad had an upsetting day

When my kids have trouble sleeping like this I find taking them away from the bedroom for a while helps . I will say let’s not worry about sleeping and go downstairs and get some water . Then will read to them on the couch granted my kids are a lot younger . It calms them down then when they are calm they go to bed again. Not failed me yet .

Thanks for the response, I appreciate it!

He was absolutely fine today and quite happy. I made him a milky drink at 9.30 and he got into bed and started with ' I'm worried about not sleeping again' and I'm anxious

Hmmmm

I'm keen we don't start a habit here so I gave him short shrift. I was kind (I always am!) but much much firmer than last night and I popped on his night light, handed him his book, said he had nothing to worry about and he was to settle down

That was 45 mins ago now and I've not heard anything from his room so I'm really hoping that's it for the night!

He really was in a state yesterday - he even wet himself a bit and was crying loads. Just in a right old over hyped up tizz. I've absolutely no idea why he did this - He said he was too tired to get out of bed!

I've not experienced this with him so maybe I need to consider that anxiety will raise its head again and have some strategies to deal with it?

Oh dear - poor him, poor you. I remember stressing about not being able to sleep at that age, and actively trying made it much worse (as it does now). Best thing is to forget about not being able to sleep, though much easier said than done.

Can you leave him with a mildly interesting podcast ('in our time' or similar) playing at a soft volume?