Children's sleep during lockdown

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Is anyone else noticing issues regarding their children's sleep patterns during this lockdown?
Both of my children are struggling to sleep and stay asleep. They are 11 and 9, never had sleep issues before. They're constantly waking me in the night complaining of nightmares and not wanting to be alone, wanting a drink, needing the toilet. I've got one permanently in my bed.
I don't know if it's lack of routine, boredom, lack of physical/ mental stimulation but I'm knackered! But I'm also starting to get a bit concerned about their mental health.
Anyone else?

3 yo is struggling with settling. Waking up extra early. She needs routine and to burn lots of energy. Today was so emotional she didn't even want to go outside.

@Haveyoubrushedyourteeth

Same here OP, no solutions, but huge sympathy. I know mine is shattered because she's far more weepy than usual during the day, but no matter what I do she can't switch off at night - sometimes it's gone 2am. We're cuddling, talking, using worry monsters, tiring her out, doing mindfulness exercises, audio books lavender baths ....but nothing is working. I've just picked up my phone to see if I can find her a weighed blanket, its all I can think of now.

I’ve ordered one from Amazon tonight for about £23.

Brentfords Weighted Blanket Adults Teenagers Kids Therapy Sensory Anxiety Autism Insomnia Stress Relief-Silver Grey-125 x 150cm, 4kg(9lb) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0851K3ZVK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_6MYKRTXPNW68FQJQNG4F?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@Mapletreelane

Same here. School usually tires them out, so no school/activities/less physical exercise than normal = kids not tired out enough. Ironically working and homeschooling = DH and I shattered more so than usual. It's all so joyous. I can hear DD 11 now yawning and tossing and turning.

God this sums it right up. I’ve never been more tired but DD7 could party all night long and still be up at 7am. She slept in my bed all through the first lockdown or wouldn’t sleep at all, was fine when she was back at school, then has been back with me since Jan. It’s the lesser of two evils - I’d rather she got at least a bit of sleep.

Me too - 9yo is still awake now!! She is very teary in the day, lots of meltdowns over schoolwork. Even on the weekends when we have time for lots of outdoor exercise, she still can’t sleep. She needs to be back at school.

My 6 and 9 year olds are going to sleep later and later, and needing a lot more attention at bedtime.
We're having some success with cbeebies radio (on Alexa) for 6yo, and Mrs honeybee podcast for 9yo, if helping them settle, but it's still worse than pre-covid.

@titsoot4xmas that's brilliant thankyou for the link, I've just ordered one. Fingers crossed it works!

It’s honestly not just you. My 7 and 10 year olds are struggling with sleep of an evening and snoozing in till late if they can. They’ve become weary little knight owls 😞

Yes! Same. Especially my 9yo, she has always been an extremely sound sleeper but not anymore. In fact she was just down, complaining that she can't fall asleep - it's almost midnight

I got mine weighted blankets in the last lockdown which they liked for comfort and did help for a bit but hasn't had much affect this time round,
Everyone is our house is exhausted and walking round looking like zombies which is really starting to get me down.

Same here. As soon as schools in wales closed my 9 year old fell apart - didn’t like being alone, newly scared of the dark and couldn’t sleep. For the last month and a half we’ve taken it in turns to sleep on his floor and to establish a routine - our GP recommended “my hidden chimp” to deal with anxiety and behaviour issues. We’ve also purchased and following the “what to do when you dread your bed”.
It’s so hard, however can see improvements which help when I’m feeling at my wits end.
A weighted blanket seems to help as does a sachet of Lizzie loves sleep which has tart cherry and magnesium to boost naturally melatonin levels.
We’ve also popped a little bed on our floor as found that our relationship was strained as didn’t have any time together so we will sit with him until he settles and then he knows that if he’s worried there’s a cosy spot for him and he can just settle without waking us.

6 year old Ds has always had difficulties with sleep but now it is horrendous. He can't settle at night despite us sticking to the same routines/screen time rules etc. He will start worrying about the most random things from ages ago and needs to sit and talk it out. Last night he was upset that his sunflower didn't grow enough last year, so we had to have a heart to heart about that. He eventually fell asleep at 10pm but was up and in our bed by 11.30pm tossing and turning and grinding his teeth.

It's exhausting. My fitbit tells me I got 4 hours sleep last night....marvellous.

Yep! mine is 4, always slept brilliantly 7-7, both lockdowns she struggles to fall asleep and most nights wakes once or twice with bad dreams :-(
Nothing is helping her, she does Andy workout, goes on her bike or scooter or for a walk. Her poor under eyes are so purple