We spent a week in a caravan a couple of weeks ago and since we came home, well, after a couple of days, DS started having nightmares which he's had before on the odd occasion but this time he's scared to be left on his own. Every night he's scared to be left in his room alone and talked about this particular dream and he thinks somethings going to happen to him. ATM, every night I've been staying with him until he sleeps (each night he's asked me to and when I've tried to leave, he's gone hysterical) which is a pain but I want him to feel safe. He then wakes up a few times in the night and at first we didn't mind him coming into our bed to feel better but we don't want this to become a habit so we take him back to bed and stay again until he's asleep. I worry every time I need the loo or need to move as he tends to wake up and then that's it for however long. We're all shattered through lack of sleep. HELP!!!
Do we carry this on for now in the hope it will all end soon? Do we leave him and let him cry it out? (I don't like this idea as I do believe he's scared and he's only 3) Any other suggestions? We've told him that it's all in his imagination, that mummy and daddy had bad dreams when we were little but they do go and nothing can come in and hurt him etc etc.
This lack of sleep for us all is starting to worry me as it's been bad enough last week when I wasn't working but this week I'm back and next week I'm back to normal hours with all kids (I'm a childminder - start at 6.45am).
Is it normal for this to happen around this age? I think so but don't want to presume. Could it be something is bothering him? I don't think it helps that we spent a week in a caravan in the evenings/mornings so very contained and so our house (which is actually very small) probably seems quite big to him after that. He's also been wanting me to go to the toilet with him every time and things like that as he's scared but I must admit, dh and I think this is now a little bit of 'playing on it' as he goes up on his own to get the odd toy no problem.
Any advice would be great!
Sorry if this doesn't make much sense, just soooo tired!
TIA