Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Nightmares in 6-year-old

1 reply

scunnereddotcom · 28/02/2012 11:05

What's an appropriate way to deal with this? My son's normally a pretty good sleeper, but has woken the last three nights with nightmares, calling out for me. Was crying the first night, just shouting on me the next two. I gave him a cuddle, calmed him down and left the door open a bit (there's a small light on overnight in the hallway) and he was fine. I don't mind doing this, although obviously I'm tired the next day. However, DH gets v annoyed at having his sleep disturbed, and thinks that I should be telling DS to get up and open the door himself to let the extra light in rather than waking us up. I think it's unreasonable to ask a scared 6-year-old to get out of bed to open his own door. But at the same time I don't want him to be just waking up and shouting out for me and getting used to me coming through for the slightest thing. Any advice on what's the right approach for this? I've thought about introducing a night light but, as I said, he's normally a good sleeper and I don't want to create a situation where he can't sleep without it!

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 28/02/2012 13:16

Your approach sounds pretty normal. DH's attitued, well ... did no-one ever give him a hug when he was a little kid? Hmm Speaking as someone with a tendency to have nightmares, just make sure there's nothing worrying your DS. Also, try to avoid him getting over-stimulated or eating rich foods or cola drinks too close to bed-time. Nothing wrong with a night-light for reassurance. It's no big inconvenience and they quickly grow out of it.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread