Anyone else with an older child that doesn't sleep?

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

Not particularly looking for advice (unless you have any gems of wisdom aside from the usual sleep routines), just some friendly ears to listen to me moan. My eleven year old has never been a good sleeper but the last month has been the worst in years. He just can't sleep alone, is worried about trying to sleep and failing and the thought of bedtime really upsets him at the moment.
I don't think there's anything going on aside for the natural anxiety of leaving primary school and friendship worries.
Other tired parents come and have a moan if you like!

I've actually considered a weighted blanket for myself (I'm a rubbish sleeper too), but was worried about the heat in summer? Do those if you using one find it ok?

DS1 is a poor sleeper. He uses sleep spray (I make up a cheap dupe using lavender oil (4 drops), camomile oil (1 drop) and water in a small spray bottle) and it helps significantly.

I have tried sleep spray and also massaging his feet with lavender oil without success!

I think some anxiety management tools may be helpful...not just for sleep but for managing changes and growing/developing. Maybe school can advise. He could try having designated 'worry time', 15mins scheduled at an appropriate time when he can think and discuss his worries. After 15mins distract with something like a fun activity. If any worries bubble up at night he can note them down to be worried about at the next day's 'worry time'. Or some Mindfulness? There's an app called Calm and also Headspace. Good luck!

@MooMa83 we have tried calm and head space in the past with no luck. I like the idea of him noting down any worries to talk about the next day. He likes routine and process so that might actually work for him.

Would he fall asleep watching a dvd? That's what I sometimes did when my ds was going through a scared patch

The blanket is mostly weight and not a lot of blanket if you know what I mean. I think as it was a cheaper one. In warmer weather he uses it by itself on top of a sheet, or on top of another light quilt if he needs more warmth. I have tried it and liked it!

I found my people 🤣

ADHD 9 year old DS, sleeps on average 4-6 hours a night!

Eventually tires and drifts off about 12:30 - 1am. Wakes up bright as a button, requesting breakfast at 5am-6am, and bouncing around the room. Isn't falling asleep or tired in school, running around like a maniac, continues climbing the walls after school.

I have not had more than 6ish hours sleep a night in nearly 9years!! I'm also a widow/loan parent, so just me.

I'm not going to lie, I've fallen asleep on the sofa through exhaustion before, to wake up, to find DS eating a bowl of cereal and building Lego in the living room at like 2am in the morning 🤦🏻‍♀️

I can't wait for him to be a teenager 15/16, because I'm off to bed at 9pm mate, you sort yourself out 🤣

Oh, I forgot weighted blankets! Yes, we've got one of those too, DS loves it but it makes him far too hot, and doesn't make any difference at all to sleeping. I know they must grow out of it eventually. It's just a question of when...