10 YEAR old won't sleep!

[anderson1969]

My 10 yr old, who has slept well his entire life (can't say the same of his brother, so not being smug) has started waking up in the middle of the night and refusing to go back to his own bed. He sleeps one floor below us (tho has done for 5 years) - he's terrified of burglars and sounds. Last night ended with a full on row at 2.30 because I said he could sleep on our floor, but he complained that was too uncomfortable. OH ended up with him in his bedroom, mainly because I refused to give in (have work-related stress insomnia most weekdays anyway so I really can't be doing with this at weekends). He is a bit of a control freak - we have food issues with him too- and is very stubborn. Any suggestions? I know it would be easier just to say sleep in our room or in his brother's but that's not going to resolve it is it? And his brother wants his room to himself.

Audio books?

I recommend the Harry Potter series. Put them.on at bedtime, and if he wakes in the night he could put them back.on?

Does he have a lamp? Maybe tell him if he wakes he can put the lamp.on and read for a bit?

Maybe he is having nightmares? Has he recently started watching certain shows / films / games?

Also, I dont know what his screentime is like but even the dullest tv can overstimulate so maybe a screen ban after a certain time?

Thanks for reply. He goes to sleep fine, doesn't watch excessive TV (he's mainly into Horrible Histories and Wimpy Kid so don't think it's that) - and he has a very dim light on. Sadly can't get him into HP tho audio books a food idea. It really seems to be an irrational sudden fear of burglars or someone being downstairs. He recently read Percy Jackson - is that it? I think it's about control. He wants what he wants and will not budge (not just us, friends/grandparents have noticed and not been able to persuade snyone otherwise) He is just the same at mealtimes. I know I should be sympathetic but it just makes me cross that he's so selfish and controlling (there you go , it's probably all about me)

He sounds like my almost 9 year old dd. except she won't even go to sleep in her own bed!! Same as your ds - terrified of noises and burglars! She gets so upset and scared that I end up with her in our bed (which I currently share with 16m old dd4 and DH)!
It's getting a little crowded but I hate to think of her scared.

Thing is, dd2s room is right beside ours so she's not exactly miles away!

I'm going to have to be stricter arent I?

I'm reading this thinking I'd tell myself to grow a pair :) but I remember the fear when I was about her age and how my Mum would let me in her bed and how happy it made me....

Ds is very similar. We leave doors ajar so he feels he can still call us if needed and got him to choose a sleep buddy /toy (he is a bit immature tho so not sure if this would work for you). We also made sure he had sleep inducing foods to help him drop off (docs recommended), eg warm milk banana smoothies. Found lust of stuff on Internet.
What we 1st assumed was controlling behaviour has actually turned out to be anxiety related (another long story), so have tried to be firm but sensitive to his needs.