5 year old terrified!

[BettyBoo246]

Please can anyone help me! My 5 year old has always been a bit of a scaredy cat but a month ago he saw a play with wolves in and now every night he will not go to bed he has complete melt downs where he can hardly talk/breathe from crying so much. I’ve tried everything talking about it, not talking about it, being nice at bedtime, staying with him, leaving lights on, being firm and yes also have got very angry! I have a newborn and it’s now keeping her awake at night. I’m at just at my wits end and dread every bedtime I have thought about taking doctors but is that just not necessary I really am out of ideas

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Personally, I would take him to the GP, especially if anxiety has always been an issue.

Some other things that might help are lots of cuddles in the day like reading to him whilst you feed the baby maybe?

Look for a children’s yoga class nearby as this might help him to control his anxiety and relax.

What’s your current bedtime rountine now? Adding some guided meditation might help him too

[User260486]

Just a little thought- we did not have it to such extreme but my child was scared that something is hiding in the corners, behind the door, etc. We put some of her favourite soft toys in those places, saying something like - the lion is stronger than a wolf, so now the wolf can't hide in there. She would check that the toys are in place before going to bed and then it went away eventually. She was a bit younger than 5 though, 5yo might just think it is just silly.

[BettyBoo246]

Thanks both for your replies! We seem to have somewhat got over the wolf thing and now it’s just he doesn’t want to be on his own in bed I do think a trip to GP might be needed he really has not been happy or himself for a few weeks now, not eating, not sleeping, very angry outbursts over little things, constantly needs me to smile at me otherwise he thinks I’m angry ,hitting his dad and then being very loving afterwards. He seems so confused and angry, my heart breaks for him could be new baby in the house and also started year 1 in September.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

How old is the baby? There’s a smaller gap between my two but having the new baby definitely affected his behaviour for a while.

[BettyBoo246]

Dd is only 8 weeks old. He is so loving towards her and really good with her, we talked lots when I was pregnant about the new arrival and how things will change etc but I guess I expected too much from him I think and do constantly remind myself he his only 5. I just don’t know if this is classed as in the realms of a normal reaction to such a big change or if he is actually suffering from anxiety

[FurryGiraffe]

I honestly wouldn't worry too much. His sibling is very new and some anxiety is inevitable. Also, it's a very busy time of year generally: he's had a new sibling, all the Christmas excitement at school (and a mega long and exhausting second half of term) then Christmas and now back to school. That's lots of change and excitement in such a short space of time. My DS1 is also in year 1 and he's been incredibly volatile recently: shouting and angry and then very cuddly. His friends are apparently exactly the same. And they're all generally very well behaved little boys. I think they all need to get back to the normal school routine and for everything to be stable for a bit- and of course that's probably doubly so for your DS.

[BettyBoo246]

Thanks furry that’s made me feel a lot better. And yes there were a few school mums this morning that said their dc’s had been terrors over Xmas and like you said hopefully with a bit of routine back it will help him. I need to keep reminding myself he is only 5 and there has been so much change over the last few months I should have expected it really. I hate myself for getting angry with him and I know it’s the worse reaction I could give but I just find it so hard especially when he’s getting out of bed 10-20 times a night!