8yr olds sleep problems

[catherina70]

My 8 year old has no problem going to sleep by himself, but has started waking in the night and will no - point blank refuses - to go back to sleep by himself. He works himself up into total hysteria and my partner & I are at the end of our tether. we have tried restricting Tv, xbox, play etc and no threat/action has served to "encourage" him to go back to sleep. more often than not after over an hour of screaming & crying we give in and either one sleeps in with him or he sleeps in our bed. any advice?

Is there something he is afraid of? Maybe that's why taking things away won't work... my 5yo goes through stages where for a few months she'll wake up after having a really vivid dream- not necessarily scary and I find that stroking her hair for a little while then telling her to read a book for a while works and she'll go off to sleep by herself. Sometimes it's not that easy and I'll take her for a drink and talk it out. It makes a difference and the time it goes on for is getting less and less.
Do you stay with him all night or leave the room once he's asleep? Also is it possible he suffers with night terrors of some kind..have you spoken to gp or health visitor?

I do feel for you because it is exhausting and in the middle of the night being woken up and knowing what is coming can make you really grumpy. Just take a really really deep breath.. you can do this!!!!

Thanks very much for this reply. :)

I just hope it may help a little... keep your chin up!! :)