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Parenting

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Don’t know what has started this sudden sleep issue with DS 8

7 replies

Redruby2020 · 21/06/2026 21:15

I have posted other things in the past, but different issues.
So although in recent months I guess I could say DS has got up and said I had a bad dream, and rightly or wrongly I have let him get in with me. I know many say you should escort back to bed etc.
Now just out of the blue, since last end of weekend, I have written about issues to do with weekends, but never had this.
Where DS had been in bed for a while but I thought he had gone to sleep, and then came out to me, to tell me he couldn’t sleep.
I know from previous occasions where he had hopped in my bed to read etc and done it because he wanted to stay, that maybe it was a build up to something.

But not knowing what to do or try, I let him go in my bed.
The next night he was fine as usual, slept in his bed, the night after that, or the one after that, same issue again. And it got late as I had hoped he would sleep in his bed, and I had to shower etc, but he had just waited for me to come out, and was getting more distressed as of course really he was tired.
But has said throughout this time that his brain feels like it can’t sleep/that he will be up until midnight. But to me some of that is to get his own way, because then if that’s the case, how can he sleep in my bed easily.

He has said about his bed being too small mine is of course more solid and a double.
But really his to a single is not a lot of difference width wise.

Then he was at my mums and did the same thing, and my mum ended up putting him in with my Dad as he was already in bed.
But the next night he slept in the bed he has there.

I straight away jump to issues there could be, as I know this is not the only thing.
I am in the slow process of trying to get an ADHD assessment done. And also got something coming up for parents where all the services will be there, it’s like a drop in thing which will be good to talk to someone.

But I just wondered what others experiences have been, has this happened to you. Causes/solutions etc.
I have read all about the calm/evening routine/doing quiet tasks and also been suggested to do a points thing where he gets a point for each night he goes to bed etc well and sleeps in his bed.

OP posts:
Redruby2020 · 21/06/2026 22:40

Bump not sure what category was best to put this in

OP posts:
0800reverse · 21/06/2026 22:55

we have had this issue with ds 10 since 3 years ago!

we did lose someone close to us and this seemed to have triggered an anxiety! He slept in our room for around a month after the event and then 6 months later randomly it started with he couldn’t sleep and would be up until 12/1am, he would get upset and then it snowballed! The more he thought about sleep the more worked up he got and the less he could sleep!

last year he started talking to a teacher at school about it all and he now has weekly check ins with them about how he is feeling! This has seemed to work however he still isn’t going to sleep until around 12am but he will just lay there or read until he falls asleep! He now only sleeps in our room on a sunday night as I’ve a feeling school is a major factor in this too!

You have my sympathy as I honestly thought I was going to lose the plot being up all night every night until he fell asleep! It has got better it’s taken a while but there is light at the end of the tunnel! X

Redruby2020 · 21/06/2026 23:37

Thankyou for your reply. That sounds tough! Gosh lol i don’t think i could do 3 years of it.
I don’t know at the moment what is behind it if exactly at all.
But I feel like with these things it’s a slippery slope.
It’s not that he hadn’t mentioned it before about finding my bed more comfortable etc lol. Plus when he goes to his dads they share, as he is in a small share, so has a room.
So I feel sometimes in a way in the past he mentioned it as though he preferred it, he would say when he came home.

I feel I should have tackled it but didn’t know how. And then just thinking of the time and better to get him in bed even if mine, and he falls off asleep straight away. And get a bit of evening before getting ready for bed myself.

I know he is an anxious child I was too, and also suffers with big emotions/had meltdowns which improved a lot.
But had one today.
He got alot off of his system and spoke about things and then also school, so I thought we might be on to a winner.
But upon bedtime of course once ready for bed. Wanted to play, I was mindful of all I read about adhd brain and stimulation and avoiding at bed time. Then stopped playing and read his book and I put my head around the door and he had gone to sleep but had been reading on the floor 🤦‍♀️ so I had to move him in to bed. And once I did that was it, he got back up.

In one way I feel it’s not a problem to sleep in mine, but long term not good and for me as I don’t sleep well anyway. So worse this way.
And not getting to the bottom of it.

That’s good yours has weekly check in’s.
Mine was supposed to be down for counselling a while back through the school, but gone on and on, I need to chase that up.

Does it not affect your son’s day at school going so late bless him.

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Redruby2020 · 22/06/2026 23:14

How can I get this moved to a more appropriate board, as I really need help with this.

OP posts:
Tillow4ever · Yesterday 10:44

Redruby2020 · 22/06/2026 23:14

How can I get this moved to a more appropriate board, as I really need help with this.

Maybe try reporting it and ask them to move it? I’d suggest maybe the parenting board.

Redruby2020 · Yesterday 13:04

Tillow4ever · Yesterday 10:44

Maybe try reporting it and ask them to move it? I’d suggest maybe the parenting board.

Thankyou yes I will try that

OP posts:
LilyMumsnet · Today 08:10

We're just moving this over to parenting and hoping OP gets some more advice and support soon. Flowers

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