6 year old scared at bed time

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I told my DS 6 last Thursday that I was pregnant and he was pretty upset. Ever since every night he has said he is too scared to go to bed. He will call me or his dad up around 4 times a night.

I am being understanding as I know he is really unsettled but it means that he really getting enough sleep and tonight he was really freaked out because he could hear people on the stairs. I explained it was just the people next door (our walls are a little thin) and he was asking what would happen if they were monsters.

Any ideas anyone?

Is it worth getting a book about what it's like to be a big brother? I seem to remember doing that for Ds1 when I was pregnant. Although he was only 2 so quite a bit different from your ds.

I would think the following would help: LOTS of talking it through, plenty of hugs and reassurance that he will still be loved in exactly the same way, etc etc

Is it definitely related to the pregnancy? If so, just involve him lots & call it our baby & what would he like to call it, do with it, teach it etc.

My ds 4 is a bit like this. Goes through periods. Last night it was people going to smash the windows in & come in & make him disappear. Monsters too.

I calmly say it's not real, monsters are only pretend because it's fun to pretend. Take time to talk calmly but then say we all need to sleep-I'll wait outside for a bit....if my son has a bad dream I say we'll turn the pillow over & go back to sleep them he'll have a good dream. He hasn't questioned this yet but when he does I'll say it's just fun & nice ritual etc.

Good luck & congratulations :)

Thanks for your replies . I took the talking things over advice and we had a nice talk this morning and I told him that how ever he feels is ok and he can always talk to me. I also said I really love him and always will no matter what .

I will try the pillow thing tonight and waiting outside for a minute . It could be nothing to do with the pregnancy he says it isn't but not so sure myself.

I also recall that 6 was around the age that both my sons realised that life was finite and that probably mum and dad would die before them. It must be a big thing - they can't imagine what it's like to be a responsible fully-grown adult so just see it as being abandoned and all alone once their parents die. Bless them.

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Is it worth having a word with the teacher? There may have been a subject discussed at school which has unsettled him.