4yo started complaining of being scared at bedtime

[SESthebrave]

DS is 4.3yo. During the summer, he's struggled to get to sleep much before 9pm because it's been light outside. He has looked at books and chatted to himself happily until falling asleep. We've used a small blackout blind to help but it's not blocked out all the light.

On Saturday, DH and I went out and usual babysitter came over. When we got back she said DS had struggled to go to sleep and had been crying, saying he was scared. She ended up sitting with him until he fell asleep just after 9pm.

Sunday and Monday nights, he really fought going to sleep and kept calling out for us. Eventually he was asleep around 9.15pm.

Tonight, he was crying and saying he was scared. I asked him why he was scared and he said because it was going to get dark and he was scared of the monsters. I told him there were no monsters, that monsters aren't real and only in stories. I told him I'd read him an extra story (Thomas the Tank Engine) if he then went to sleep quietly. He agreed but then after the story and I went downstairs, he started crying again. DH went and sat with him until he fell asleep.

I don't want to get in the routine of doing this but also want him to feel safe. Any suggestions?

Exactly the same this end. We've just moved to a new house, and although she slept fine the first week, for the last 2 she's struggled. There have been a few thunder storms recently and she seems quite anxious in bed about there being another in the night. Tonight after hours of crying and me losing my temper I found some lullabies on a 2 hour loop and played it on an iPad outside her room, and held her hand until she fell asleep. I'm praying this doesn't become our new routine!!

DS (3.11) has a special colour changing LED egg shaped light and a spray bottle of 'monster spray' (water).

They get funny ideas in their heads at this age, my older DD was the same. She responded better to an old knitted baby blanket tht I told her was full of love to keep her safe. She has an over active imagination and has also had a moonstone ring ( aged 6) and currently has a soapstone owl. Each time it has only been needed for a week or so until its magic works and they need it less. It's just for the reassurance.

DS also responds to hands (gentle) on either side of his face, with me looking into his eyes and saying gently but firmly 'you are safe Ds, nothing bad will happen to you'.

I was the same when I was little, over active imagination (still have got it to be honest) and I still remember cowering in the dark which was so terrifying.

Alice - yes, the thunderstorms haven't helped. I also hope this doesn't become the norm.

Zombies - he does have a very good (over active) imagination. I may try playing him some music if it continues.

I have an "anti-bad-dream" spray for DD. Works every time. Definitely worth trying.

Ok - will try the spray too. Thanks!

He might have had nightmares or have you read him any monster stories lately that might be it

He went with DH to see Monsters University so that could be it. I didn't think it was that scary though. Once he's asleep he's fine and sleeps til about 7am.