3.5 year old dd afraid of the dark

[LulaTallulah]

My 3.5 year old DD has always slept really well, but over the last month she has started waking up screaming saying there is someone in the corner of her room, or something under the bed, or under the duvet.

She takes over an hour, sometimes more to calm down and evetually go to sleep. She has 2 night lights and even if we leave the light on outside her room or her bedside light, she still wakes up screaming. I am at my wits end, I hate to see her so upset and would appreciate any advice in helping her through this.

We have even tried having her share with her sister but it makes no difference. I know sleeping in her bed with her or having her in our bed will get her back to sleep but there must be a way to help her get through this and become less afraid. Or is it a phase she will grow out of and we just been to suck it up for the next year or how ever long it lasts?

How about taking her round her room at night and talking about all the lovely things in her room? To kind of make friends with her room iyswim? Also you could play more in ther room in the day? My DS2 is nearly 4 and went through this stage and we did what you have done and all of the above. We also put small lamp on the landing, which helped. Have there been any changes, new school etc. With DS it lasted a few weeks. Oh and we also took him shopping to choose a new nightlight that he loved, one of those little alien things from Ikea and I think getting him involved in buying it helped.

Good luck.

One of my girls (11mnths now) used to wake up in the night and give just one or two terrified cries. When i went in to check on her she'd be awake and staring but not seem to know i was there, she'd then just go back to sleep. The Doctor said she thought it was night terrors and that lots of kids get it. I don't think it's anything to be concerned about. Just comfort her and reassure her the way you are doing.

This might help but might not..Could you maybe have a radio or CD of her favourite songs on? A new nightlight is also a good idea. IKEA do really pretty flower and star lights.
Good luck!