to be a big wimp about being on my own at night?

[Mowiol]

Like now when DH is on night shift and I'm on my own.
Sometimes DH is out all night at work (on call cover) and DS stays out/crashes at mates (or whatever he does!!). I am a big wimp.
I go to bed, can't sleep cos I think I hear noises, get up and "investigate" noises (which turn out to be fridge, house cooling down, central heating boiler, you name it) then lie awake thinking of scary movies.
When I eventually drop off, some random little noise will then wake me and my heart will be in my mouth and I'll be scared witless!
It's not even as if we live in the middle of nowhere - we live in a nice street with good neighbours in a small town.
I even leave the hall light on!!

Get a dog. Protection and a warm body.

I was on my own a lot before DC arrived. Now DH works away Mon-Fri and dog keeps me feeling safe and secure.

She is very protective and is on alert when DH is away.

There's nowt bad about leaving the light on if you're feeling a bit vulnerable.

It's OK though cos you've got us MNs with you, nobody's going to fuck wi' us

Our dog will tell us if she hears anything in the night as well drf, she's only done it a couple of times, but I fell safer with her here.

its ok we are all just a click away !

Yanbu, I feel the same. Dp works away Monday to Friday and even with ds conked out in the next room I hate it.

I always end up really knackered because I stay in the living room until I can seriously no longer keep my eyes open then go to bed because I know I'll be able to sleep then.

Aww - I love MN!!
I'd love a dog too but work etc. means we just couldn't give a dog the time it needs - we just have cats!!
It's not even prowlers so much - I'm embarrased to say I have been known to read Stephen King/watch horror movies and then be totally scared a vampire is going to come in my window.
Absolutely irrational and crazy and I know these things do not exist!!
I then get up next day having had little or no sleep and looking like the wrath of God!
I need a good MN kicking!!

YANBU I've got this problem for the next couple of weeks and I hate it! normally i'm in a flat so you can hear other people etc but i'm at my parents place atm which is a detached house and they are going on holiday next week. They have done it since I was 16 so I am used to it but every little noise makes me jump, most of the time the dog is the cause of the noise! Must say I am very glad to have him with me though!

Garlic tie-backs?

No horror books/films when your DH is on nights. Only rom coms and gentle books.

Even if you had a dog you'd probably go and read Cujo.

Try focusing your mind on something funny/nice every time you think of whatever might freak you out, it's hard though cos once you've thought of it you can't shake it off.

LOL at garlic tiebacks {mental note: must buy garlic tomorrow}

And Cujo!! LOL again

I feel better now - had a good laugh (and a glass of wine works wonders too!!)

YANBU, i am such a baby at night time, i stayed awake for 2 nights once as dp was away, he walked in the door and i crashed out straight away, even though id had a friend over to keep me company the whole time.
we now have a no over night stay rule.

Dogs, pah, mines useless, the daft sod scares me more than keeps me calm, bloody labradors for ya.

I am so glad I'm not the only one!

Worst bit is though that I'm normally a rational, logical person. The only person who knows my irrational fear of the dark/being on my own at night is DH.
I hope DH doesn't croak before I do cos when DS moves out it'll be just me and DH and I don't fancy this every night!! ....... joke!!

How ridiculous for a woman of my age (nearly 50)to be this wimpy!

Don't worry, I am the same way and am your age. I have always had trouble sleeping to begin with, I don't know why.

Once when dh & ds went on a fishing trip for 10 days, I was reading a news story on-line of a horrible murder and checked out a mentioned link, vampires.com. Bad idea!
Needless to say, I didn't go to sleep until it was light out! My cat does come meowing to me whenever anyone arrives at the front door, so I feel ok if she is just sleeping.

I am a bit better now, as I stick to romantic comedies and stuff to read and watch. I leave lights on too.

It's funny. I've lived on my own, on and off for the last 20 years and it's never bothered me. In fact it had never even occurred to me until 3 days after my dad's funeral when I was packing to go home and my mum suddenly started looking terribly jittery and admitted that at the age of 70 she'd never spent a night in a house on her own.

So anyone can do it. Any age. It's not ridiculous at all.