My partner's daughter has always had trouble sleeping - she has always suffered nightmares, and has hardly ever slept through the night. Other factors include the fact that she (the daughter) always slept (and continues to sleep) in her mother's bed, and continued breastfeeding till she was three and a half - essentially they have an extremely close relationship.
However, I have noticed that the girl, however tired she may be, is constantly fighting sleep, and seems actively afraid of going to sleep - and when she does eventually sleep she will wake up within a few hours screaming for her mum in fear (this may happen several times a night and in the morning). The result is that the three of us are completely exhausted pretty much all the time.
According to my partner (and I believe her), this has always been the case, and is completely unconnected to my arrival on the scene (or indeed her father's disappearance from it).
Does anyone have any experience of this and/or suggestions or advice?