AIBU to expect my seven-year-old to fall asleep independently? Bedtimes takes hours and we are exhausted!

[sleeplessinlondon11]

My just-turned-7 year old lovely boy insists that I cuddle him to sleep, every night. I have tried to say you're a big boy, promised him all sorts of things, the suggestion is met with screaming and crying. The problem is not per se that I have to stay with him- I've got the time and I don't mind- but that I think at this age he should be able to fall asleep himself, after a cuddle and a story. It takes literally 1 hour plus to get him to sleep. My DH and me alternate bedtime and he is saying the same, that we'd like DS to be more independent, after all that's our job as parents! This whole thing also meant that really he has never done a sleepover at grandparents as he appears to need us so much.

AIBU to cut the cord and announce that from today, it's fall asleep yourself after a cuddle and a story?? Or shall I do it more gradually?

Yes he will. My DS2 was still getting into our bed in the middle of the night at 7 - but not by 8. We were in despair when he was 6/7, but it just stopped of its own accord.

My son is 9 and we still have to sit with him
while he goes to sleep. Recently diagnosed with ADHD & ASD.

The most confident boy in the class still sleeps with his mother. She puts instagram posts up about it.
Two of his close friends still won’t sleep without one of their parents. I know this because I’ve got close with the parents. I think it’s more common than people realise, but it’s just not talked about.

Is there something he really wants you could work towards him earning by going to sleep alone. I’d start going up a bit later, and then maybe just go into your own room and not downstairs, or sit outside the door. Yes at 7 he is old enough to fall asleep independently and you’re right, my parents would no way have entertained the idea of sitting with me for an hour plus.