Can someone please help me with this and give me the benefit of their experience PLEASE!!!
Our 8 year old has never been a good sleeper but over the last 4 months his sleeping problems have deteriorated significantly.
We have followed the same routine which is roughly from about 7.30/8 bath, story, cuddle etc . However then the problems start when we try and go downstairs . He becomes very distressed and will cry and even vomit. If he falls asleep then he wakes again an hour later screaming, crying, vomiting. This part of the process takes about 2 hours from start to finish making it impossible to get things ready for next day, do paperwork, chat etc
At any time after midnight he will come into our room and again refuse to leave. We have tried encouraging him to go back to bed but often he will become aggressive etc. The only way of physically putting him back into his room would be to lock his door and I will not do that
In order that we can get some sleep it ends up with one of us having to go to bed with him
We are all so exhausted and starting to shout etc
I am at my wits end and want to move to zero tolerance but my DH and I cannot agree
We have tried praise, bribery, night lights, music but nothing is working
Please help