Help! DS is scared of the wind and it is getting worse

[NovelGazing]

It is windy again tonight, and DS (8) is still not asleep. He can't settle - he says it is scary, he hears noises, he thinks it is coming to get him. He doesn't particularly like wind in the day, but it really freaks him at night.
I have tried everything I can think of - changing rooms so he is on the sheltered side of the house, rescue remedy, music playing to drown it out. I have also tried sitting with him, but it takes him up to three hours to drop off. I have tried giving him no attention, but he just keeps getting up saying he is scared. I have tried a reward scheme, but he coludn't do it. Any ideas?

I do think a part of it may be not wanting to go to bed/getting attention, but he has always hated the wind.

What else can I do/try? Or do I need to go to the GP so someone 'professional' can chat to him

Sounds like you'd tried almost everything.

How about a complete change of track, tell him there is nothing to be afraid of, explain why etc, and put him back to bed each time he gets up. My DD (5) has a similar fear of the dark. Rather than give in to her demands (I have done in the past and they always escalate to the point where she is only happy in my bed), I have reassured her each night and not pandered to her fears. Probably not explaining myself very well here, in the past when I did what she wanted, I felt it just confirmed in her head that the dark WAS something she should be afraid off iyswim.

Also have you checked outside for anything particularly noisy that might be banging in the wind? a gate, or something that has blown over, or something flapping about etc?

It is a recognised phobia i think - ds nursery teacher was really scared of the wind.

can you make up a story about the wind trying to blow out birthday candles??

my ds wrote a poem once and described the wind as a bully - pushing and shoving at you.

what about a silly story about granny's knickers on the washing line and she will make the wind chocolate cake if they get dry??

I'm with knick knack, reassure him explaining why (briefly) and then keep taking him back to bed. Keep doing it consistently for a reasonable amount of time before deciding its not working (not saying you havent before but just emphasising that you need to keep at it for a while).

I was scared of the wind until i was about 10 i think. Rode in the buggy till i was 5 with the raincover over me so that the wind didn't get me, and i used to hate Wincy Willis (showing my age) because she was obviously the person that created the wind. Not particularly helpful, i know but just thought i would let you know, oh and i did grow out of it.

Thanks for the suggestions (I remember Wincey Willis too - does anyone else remember the 'John Kettley is a weatherman' song )
I think DS is too old to do the washing line thing, and there is nothing specific banging to upset him. He doesn;t like the wind when we stay elsewhere either.
I think we have re-inforced the wind fear by 'pandering' to it.
I will have resolve, and try the consistent - there is nothing to worry about with the wind line, and return him to bed each time - but I suspect it is going to take a lot of nights to crack it. It is hard not to react when he is sobbing wildy
Thank you