Hi all, mainly looking for a virtual hug.
My 5 year old has really been struggling with separation anxiety for the last month or so. It's so bad that they can't stay or go in a room on their own without me or my husband there. We have tried asking what their afraid of but they refuse to talk about it.
Initially it wasn't as issue at night as we cosleep. I lie with her till she goes to sleep and then I get up and watch telly with my husband. However, recently she's been struggling to get to sleep complaining about having nightmares (she will not talk about the nightmares so I have no idea what going on in her head) and then waking up about 30min to an hour after falling asleep and being distraught when I'm not there.
I'm supposed to be going away for an overnight girls night on Friday and she is meant to be sleeping over at my parents and she is already upset at the prospect. She doesnt often stay over maybe once every 6 months. Annoyingly my husband can't get her to sleep and stay asleep (this is a separate issue that I'm working on!!!) which my mum and my sister (lives with parents) can.
With her struggles at the moment I'm reluctant to leave her overnight. I think she is struggling mentally at the moment, im just not sure with what as she wont talk about it. I know that it'll be good for me but I will feel guilty the entire time and I'm unlikely to sleep well.
Any words of wisdom? Or anyone experienced similar.