Toddler firework aftermath

[Ontheroad18]

My 2.5 y old DS used to love his bed. Popped him down, left the room and he fell asleep within 5mins. Last week, fireworks went off during these 5 mins and he got scared. For 3 nights it tooks 2 hours to get him to sleep, going back to reassure, leaving, back to reassure again...

Since then, no fireworks but he still won't be left to sleep. Clings on to us and doesn't want to be put down.

Last night I ended up lying on the floor next to him and he then fell asleep instantly. But now he got woken up at 2am and we are doing the same dance again.

I have anxiety and sleep issues are a massive trigger so my brain is already racing thinking he needs to fall asleep independently or we'll be stuck with this forever. But I know if I'd just laid next to him when he first woke an hour ago we'd probably all be asleep now.

How do you deal with toddler anxieties and night wakings?

The trouble with lying down with them is that it goes on ...mine went on with this for years. I was still doing it when she was 6 and it drove me mad.

Try putting on some gentle music and leaving but staying visible by the door for a little while. Phase it out by moving away a bit further each night.

Thank you @FortunesFave exactly, I'm conscious about setting up a habit. 2 hours later I'm at such a loss about what to do... it has never happened before he hasn't ever been one to be awake for hours in the night.

DH laid next to him til he fell asleep, then attempted an escape and DS woke up again.

Not sure how I'll manage on 2 hours sleep tomorrow!

He is asleep and I am in bed, way too wired to sleep now but yeay!
I sat on the other side of the door as he fell asleep so I could reassure him but he didn't wake when I went to my room. Thanks for the tip!

I think by lying with him you're reinforcing that it was scary and he needs your protection. I would remain as calm as possible and put him to bed as per usual, leave the room but get on with something out in the hall outside the door - ironing, or something which makes a little noise so he knows you're there but not loud enough to disturb. If he comes out to find you I would absolutely avoid entering into dialogue but have a stock phrase of 'I'm right outside. Bedtime now.' or whatever, said in the same kindly reassuring way, and just take his hand and walk him back to bed. On repeat. For an hour or 3 or however long it takes each night until he's falling asleep on his own again. Get into the habit of sitting with him and you could still be doing it a year from now!

Thank you @FurrySlipperBoots thats definitely where we went wrong, when my DH put him to bed last night he was really fussing over DS saying "what's wrong? Don't worry, nothing can harm you" and really dragging out bedtime and cuddles which I think just fed into DS anxiety. Will try to be breezy and more direct tonight.
It was difficult to leave him last week as he genuinely seemed terrified and the fireworks were very loud but we can be stricter now.

On the plus side he just woke up so we did get some decent sleep in the end!