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Original poster

Son needs to watch tv to fall asleep

25 replies

absburns85 · 29/12/2019 23:38

My son went through an anxious period when he was around 6 and I found that night time was when he would be the most anxious and the only thing that settled him would be letting him watch a dvd in his room, something boring that he’d seen a lot and he’d fall asleep easily. But since then he’s no longer anxious and is now 9 years old but still insists he needs tv to sleep and when I try and put my foot down he gets into a state and becomes really stressed out, I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions or has been through anything similar (no harsh or judgemental comments please I’m aware this is a bad habit)

OP posts:
TyrionsNextWife · 29/12/2019 23:40

Could you try breaking the habit with story tapes instead of the tv? Probably not a long term solution, but he’d get better quality sleep without the tv lights and it’s a step closer to ‘normal’ sleep habits.

slipperywhensparticus · 29/12/2019 23:44

Normal is overrated

Try ASMR or david attenborough make it clear you can watch tv but it will be the relaxation wind down television

twogeniesinabottle · 29/12/2019 23:48

Yeah I agree with pp. story tapes/gentle music and maybe a night light too. Let him pick what he wants so he's actually up for it. Take tv out of the room and leave him with that. I had a tv in my room when I was young. I had a free view box and would find myself up past 9 watching some adult tv shows which were definitely not for kids!
I still have a tv in my room and watch it and fall asleep with it on. It doesn't distract me from sleeping and go through phases of not using it to go to sleep.
I think it taking it away now is best as when he hits a teenager he will hopefully be in the habit of having relaxing sounds or nothing at all to fall asleep

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Biancadelrioisback · 29/12/2019 23:52

I'm 30 and I use TV to sleep. I'll usually watch something I've seen but I can't sleep in total silence. I need some light and I need noise (ie something I can focus on) otherwise I can hear my thoughts and I don't want that.
I hate this about me. Please try and break the habit. I wish I could.

BrusselPout · 30/12/2019 00:04

How about a white noise machine?

mum11970 · 30/12/2019 00:17

I’m 49 with anxiety and also have a tv on to sleep? If I don’t have something to listen to I’m left with my thoughts and that never ends with a good night’s sleep.

selmabear · 30/12/2019 00:17

I listen to ASMR every night to aid sleep. It started 4 years ago when I went through horrific depression and anxiety, Its still something I use. Whispers Red has an ASMR channel for children, maybe give it a go and see what he thinks?

Dipsydoodle · 30/12/2019 00:19

Try audiobooks! I had an anxious phase as a child and listening to my Dad's Army tapes (please don't laugh Grin) really helped me sleep

justasking111 · 30/12/2019 00:20

OH has to have the tv on to get to sleep. He puts sky news on uber boring. We do have a sleep timer on the tv so it goes off after a set time. I have netflix and wireless ear buds these days to get off to sleep because of my bouts of insomnia. As others say sometimes your mind whirrs when the room is silent.

Dipsydoodle · 30/12/2019 00:22

Does he like Harry Potter? The HP audiobooks are really good and I listen to them now when I'm poorly or just need cheered up

paddingtonbearsmarmalade · 30/12/2019 00:25

I would also suggest audiobooks. I’ve listened to an audiobook to get to sleep every night for over 20 years! Usually Harry Potter but sometimes other kids’ stories that I know well and therefore won’t get into and then not sleep!

UndomesticHousewife · 30/12/2019 00:43

If he sleeps fine and early enough and is not anxious then let him watch the tv.

I've been through anxiety and mental health problems with a dc and really trying to do things 'right' but which causes stress isn't worth it. There is no right way just the way that works for you and your ds.

sherbetmelon · 30/12/2019 00:49

I used to listen to cassette story tapes to fall asleep and absolutely loved them. Wish I could listen to them now. Maybe get him his own special CD player and some story cd's? Or let him choose some Audible ones if he has a tablet?

HarrietThePi · 30/12/2019 00:52

I can't sleep without the TV either. I'm 32. Blush I have nightmares if I fall asleep without it.

Agree with suggestions like trying audio books and a night light. Definitely worth trying to break the habit if you can though. It's not been a huge deal for my relationship but my dp would prefer to not have the TV on every night. It wouldn't be the end of the world if nothing works and you have to stick with the TV, just try and make sure he can't watch anything inappropriate by mistake. I don't know if such a thing exists but I'm thinking of some kind of device that he is only able to watch dvds on, and doesn't have the ability to flick through late night TV and see things he shouldn't.

ChocolateCoins19 · 30/12/2019 00:57

I used to as a teen.. A VHS and would fall asleep and half wake when it auto rewound.. Then I'd turn off and be relaxed enough to sleep.

Original poster
absburns85 · 30/12/2019 05:27

Thanks everyone for being so nice, I will try the audiobooks and the nightlight and see if it helps

OP posts:
BonnieSeptember · 30/12/2019 05:35

Me and my boyfriend do this... I thought it was quite normal haha! Just stick it on a timer for 60 mins so it turns itself off? Not sure why it's a problem really (unless he needs it to be really loud and it's disturbing the house?)

Chocolatethief · 30/12/2019 05:56

I'm the same but put something on Netflix on my phone and faced down as my room has to be dark also has to be something I have watched loads so I don't need to focus, if it works for him and he is actually sleeping I wouldn't worry to much

saltysally · 30/12/2019 07:19

I always have brown noise which is deeper than white noise or classical sleep music

Kaleidoscope93 · 30/12/2019 07:36

26 year old here, so called adult with a professional job - also can't sleep without some form of light and noise, preferably something on Netflix I've watched a thousand times. Boyfriend is the same and if I don't have anything playing in the background I wake up with nightmares! Try a white noise machine or maybe some audiobooks if you're worried!

Andonandonan · 30/12/2019 08:46

New horizon relaxation sleep meditations on you tube / Spotify are brilliant; they have specific kids’ ones.

SardineJam · 30/12/2019 08:50

There is s great app that you can download, Andrew Johnson's Deep Sleep, I think it costs a couple of £. I have used this on DS1 before and it works!!

beela · 30/12/2019 08:52

New horizon relaxation sleep meditations on you tube / Spotify are brilliant

Yes! I managed to get six excited 8yos at a sleepover to sleep by playing one of these. Although to be fair it was midnight by this point.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 30/12/2019 08:56

Placemarking

differentnameforthis · 30/12/2019 10:17

He becomes stressed because it's the anxiety over having his "comfort blanket" removed.

Agree with story tapes/CDs/ASMR

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