8 yr old can't get to sleep at night - anyone else had similar?

[costagirl]

I have tried warm baths, quiet time without tv/Wii/DS for hour before bed, warm milky drinks. For several weeks he has had real trouble getting to sleep - it's usually 9.30 to 10 pm before he goes off. As a result he is shattered in the morning and beginning to look run down. He is quite an anxious, highly strung lad and is always worried about when I'm coming up to bed, will I come and check on him etc. Am desperately trying to think of ways to help him chill out of an evening beyond what I'm doing - anyone else got a DC like this?

You could try a little lavender oil on a tissue for him to inhale. Lavender is supposed to be soothing and restful.

I do this for my boys when they can't sleep - not sure it works or if it a placebo, but they always manage to sleep.

Hope this helps.

poor chap - sounds a bit anxious, you could chat to someone about some coping strategies for managing anxiety? Cognitive behaviour therapy has some excellent simple methods, there is a CBT for dummies book may be worth a quick look? i used it myself and it was an enormous help.

My son is the same - but he does have asperger's and sleep difficulties are linked. The paediatrician has advised to try first that he goes to bed really late - 10.30pm for a few days then bring it forwards 10 mins and so on. This gets them used to falling asleep quickly rather than sitting in bed for a couple of hours thinking, worrying etc. We are down to 8.30pm now but not having loads of success! It did work at first though, sometimes it becomes a habit not being able to get to sleep and the more he worries about it the more difficult it gets. What about if you say you will go and check on after 10 mins, then after 15 mins and so on, as that might help to reassure him that you are going back. Good luck!

Thanks for your comments. Have bought lavender oil, and had also wondered about making bed time later for a while so he isn't lying there for hours. Football on tv tonight so thought he could stay up and watch till 9.15, then go to bed. HOPEFULLY will be fairly relaxed. Sheesh. just one stage after another with kids isn't it!

my dd is similar, i bought this

even if your ds is not dreading bedtime, it has useful winding down & relaxation techniques that can be useful

it's something you have to work at though, but it's quite a positive way of dealing with such problems

That book looks great, thank you, and also think the one about anxiety will help. Great tip, thank you.

Hi, I came on line looking for answers to exactly the same question. Your ds's situation appears exctly the same as mine. Have you got any further with it, any thoughts, any ideas.

Hi my son has the same problem. He is a constant worrier and at bedtime seems to lay awake worrying about everything. Despite spending time to talk about his worries he is still awake at 8.30/9pm even though he appears exhausted. This then has an adverse effect on the next day, as his tiredness is shown in his behaviour. I have recently been recommended the RELAX KIDS cds available from amazon. I haven't tried them yet, still waiting for my copy but my friend swears by them. Might be worth a try!!