5 year old crying during the night EVERY night

[Pinkoyster795]

So 5.2 year old, after sleeping through for the past few years, has taken to waking at least once (some nights more) every night. He usually wakes up and starts crying. Sometimes he's half asleep, others he's fully awake. It has coincided with him starting school last September (yes, it really has been going on for that long!).

I don't know if the reason is night terrors, or something deeper? He is in reception, and we got off to a rocky start as he really didn't like going to school at the beginning. He has grown to like it, though comes home in a really bad mood (possibly cos he's tired?) and is a grump till he goes to bed at 7.30. Anyone else experiencing this? I'm concerned that he might be unhappy but can't vocalise it so it's affecting his sleep :(

DD will be 6 in June and also finishing her first year st school. Night waking for her is without doubt over tiredness. At the moment we are doing bath at 6.30pm, in bed just after 7. She's awake at 6.30am no matter what time she goes to sleep, so it's a case of earlier bedtime to compensate.

Children often start to be afraid of the dark - they sometimes pick the idea up from other children - try leaving a light on.

My 3 year old did this for a few months. Would suddenly start screaming in terror but would still be asleep. Was horrible, absolutely nothing I could do. We worked out it coincided with him watching an inappropriate scary programme. Scooby Doo. I just didn't realise the effect it was having on him as he wasn't scared while watching and just loved it. He gradually improved after I banned the programme. Just wondering whether your DS is watching anything similar?

My 4.5 year old still does and it's driving me nuts. It used to be due to sleep apnea so I understand she wakes a little scared. But every blinking night....