11 year old with sleeping problems?

[GyuriKim]

My daughter has had a very hard time falling asleep at night (it has lasted for about 2 years). Nothing traumatic or anything has happened and she is a happy child- never stressed out or anything. She is only in Year 6 so she has no exams to worry about. We have tried pillow sprays, listening to calm music and also relaxing eye masks but they all do not work :(
She goes to bed at about 9PM (wakes up at 7 normally) but she just lays there until 1 in the morning until she finally falls asleep. She says she is never tired during the day and she concentrates and does well in school but she has these awfully dark circoes around her eyes.
I have had her sleep with me and she seems to fall asleep within about 10-15 minutes so we are currently doing that at the moment.
Should I call the GP again? They said last tome to limit screen time before bed but I always make sure she stops iPad games at 7PM.
Does anyone know any "tricks" to help kids fall asleep more quickly?

Hi @GyuriKim, I'm afraid I don't have an answer. Our 9 Yr old DS is the same. It's become worse with the light evenings and COVID lockdown. We've tried to give him lots of outdoor exercise but even that doesn't seem to help. Hoping someone comes along with advice.

Solidarity but no advice.
Our 11 year old is similar. I lie with her most nights otherwise she’s still awake and stressing out at 11 or later.
Need to sort it really as it’s not a good habit

We’ve got the same issue with our ten year old. It’s really hard. It’s just Gone midnight and she’s only just dropped off with me sat by her bed. I am unsure how to help her, apart from being with her until she falls asleep to try to stop her getting stressed. I’ve got no practical help for you, but You aren’t alone in trying to find a solution.

Get some blue light glasses for her, make sure she goes outside in the sunlight early in the day as this can shift your body clock a bit.

Chamomile tea and a calming activity like sewing or colouring in before she goes to bed.

Poor thing, I suffer from occasional insomnia and it is horrendous.

If she falls asleep quickly when you are there, then it's anxiety.

My DD 9 has PTSD after a horrific time in hospital earlier this year. Sometimes she just can't settle at all. It's better than it was but it's bloody hard. I've tried everything and sometimes nothing works at all.

Audiobooks do help a bit.

Same here. Dd either can’t sleep or wakeS up with night terrors - esp since covid.

I could have written this!
She’s awake later than we are, no phone or tv but can’t fall asleep. And then is awake at probably 5am when DH gets up for work. Doesn’t struggle much during the day but does look tired at times.
I just want her to get more sleep! Especially with senior school starting in September.

She has some active days and a lot of non active days, but it doesn’t seem to effect the evening battle. Might try some blue light glasses.