My DD is having real trouble sleeping at the moment and I can't get to the bottom of why. She is OK once she finally gets off but has huge trouble most nights actually settling herself to sleep, more often than not she is still awake (or has only nodded off briefly) when I come up at 10-11ish.
I know she is nervous for some reason - she hates the door being shut and has to have a nightlight - but she's not able to tell me why she feels like this. I leave the door open as long as I can but if it's open all night we tend to disturb her when we come up (small house!) so it rather defeats the object. She was in a highsleeper but she didn't like being up close to the window - she said the wind and rain disturbed her but I think she may also be worried about someone climbing in although that would be very hard as there's a conservatory directly below - so we've moved her back into a normal bed, but it's made no difference.
I've done everything I can think of to help - given her every opportunity to talk to me or someone else about anything that might be worrying her, she has certain toys that make her feel safe in bed with her (in the bed she begged to go back into, with new covers she chose herself). I don't let her play on the computer/DS too close to bedtime and there's no TV in her room. She's given up reading anything that might be exciting or scary before bed, usually I read a chapter of our current book to her then she reads an old favourite for 20 minutes or so. She's definitely tired, she's fed and watered and her room is pleasant, warm and comfortable.
Has anyone else experienced sleep issues in an older child who could offer some advice? I am at a loss about what to do next.