I'm getting increasingly worried about my 5 year old DS' rituals and wondered if anyone had any experience of something similar. These include things like having to have his cup of water in exactly the right place, his pillow and duvet just the right way at bedtime, his clothes put on in the same order... that sort of thing. He's definitely more upset and sensitive about these things when tired.
Last night he cried himself to sleep (with me with him, comforting him) because I had closed his cupboards and he was worried I hadn't done it properly - he didn't want to get out of bed to redo it because it was dark and I refused to turn the light back on for him - I really don't know if that was the right thing to do or not. I generally go along with this behaviour in order to minimise his stress but I suppose I also wanted to show him that nothing bad would happen if the world wasn't exactly conforming to him, if that makes sense.
He's very sensitive but otherwise a boisterous, sociable boy with several close friends. He's not at school yet (Scotland) but loves his nursery albeit his behaviour can be up and down there.