Bedtime struggles 8 year old

[cosmicbabe]

My 8 year old DS is a nightmare to put to bed. We used to co sleep and then I moved him to his own room and he's never really adjusted to it. I know spend upwards of 2 hours each evening laying with him until he falls asleep. Then during the night he might wake 2-3 times coming in and asking me to put him back to sleep.. I'm exhausted. I honestly thought he would just grow out of it and get used to his own bed and falling asleep in his own.

Any advice or tips would be gratefully received

Is he neuro-typical. If so I think it might be time for one tough love. 2 hours a night would drive me insane.

I think he’s old enough to be told he has to stay in his room when he wakes, barring necessity. Make sure he has what he needs - a nightlight / audiobooks / water / whatever and then tell him that when he wakes he stays in bed unless he is sick or otherwise actually needs you. It won’t work at first, so when he comes to you in the night either tell him he has to go back to bed, or take him back but no tucking in / lying there / chat etc. He will learn to settle himself eventually when he gets out of the habit of you doing it.