9 yr old DD struggles to get to sleep

[SparklyMily]

Hi, not sure if this topic extends to older children, but worth a go?

My DD has struggled to get to sleep for some years. She is the sort who can stay up late and then sleep in, rather than go straight to sleep and wakes up early. Once she is gone, she sleeps heavily. She is starting to get stressed about it as I have said to her in the past that she needs a decent number of hours - this was to dissuade her when younger from playing with her teddies and so on. But now if she can't get off (sometimes still awake at 10pm when lights out at 8.30pm) she gets upset, which doesn't help of course.

She has a story cd on in the background, or music, which i am going to try turning down, but she does find it very hard to go off in a completely quiet room.

Any thoughts? She is very active, eats a good, varied diet. No TV in her room and DSi etc off a good half hour before bedtime. Am wondering if anyone has experinced similar and could make suggstions/

TIA

DD1 (also 9) is a bit of a night owl too (as am I). Things we do are:

1. Story CD (as you already have) - with a fairly soporific story on it (Stephen Fry reading Paddington is good)
2. Neals Yard roll-on "Remedy for Sleep" rolled onto her pillow - it is mainly lavender and is really good - I use it myself!
3. Tell her it doesn't matter if she sleeps, but she must rest with her eyes closed. In fact I'm sure I've read somewhere that that's almost as good as sleeping.
4. Teach her simple relaxation techniques - the one she and I both use is to clench and then release each group of muscles in turn, starting with your feet and working all the way up to your head.
5. If she is getting stressed or worried in the night, play 'mind games' to relax - for example naming a fruit or vegetable starting with each letter of the alphabet.