Nearly 6yr old & sleep

[MrsWhirling]

I have DD who is nearly 6 and DS10mths.

Up to the age of about 3 1/2 DD was a good sleeper but from then is completely rubbish. It all began when DH allowed her to watch Scooby-Doo & she became frightend.

Que early single night of waking, normally around 2ish. Saying she is scared. Initially I let her sleep with me but now insist she returns to her bed. This results in hours of howling often waking the. baby up.

We are currently in the second hour of crying and calling for me. I am so tired that I completely lost it and threatened her with all sorts.

I just don't know where to start with getting on the road to good sleeping. She's rubbish at actually going to bed in the first place also.

Any experience/advice would be grately appreciated x

Yon poor thing, it must be so tough. If she's bad at going to bed, what's your routine?

Have you read this book?

Thank you. Well I have 0 time to myself because of her refusal to go& then stay in bed. I try to have her washed, in PJs and bed by 8pm. By the time her shannanigans are finished I'm ready for bed too. Actually it's really affecting my relationship with DH too. Haven't read the book, have you?

Is her room dark? Try leaving the light on?

Is it shadows from furniture? Remove everything from the room except for the mattress?

Does she have a cuddly toy 'protector'?

Would listening to story CDs help her settle in her room in the evening?

Is she upstairs alone? Could you spend the evening in your room so you're upstairs too?

Do you play with her in her room so she has good memories of being there?

Agree with her she has yo sleep in her room in the evening but can co-sleep after you come to bed?

OP, I did this at 11 years old. A mum of a friend allowed us to watch The Shining. I slept with my mum for 6 months whilst my dad slept in my bed. After 6 months, I was turfed back into my room and I slept with all of teddies lined up around my bed and the lights on. I had a lamp I shone into the hall so I could see the axe murderer's shadow as he came up the stairs. I still have issues 25 years later about sitting against walls in restaurants so I can see the doorway (to spot the axe murderer). It is totally irrational and running joke amongst my family. I do not watch anything rated 18 to this day.

It's a tough one. Fear is hard to shake.

I don't know what to advise, I just want to sympathise.

My 5yo DD has frequent nightmares about all sorts and she wakes up her little brother (and vice versa - he is a teething terror) on a regular basis. They are also both rubbish at going to sleep in the first place.

So, no advice but I really hope it improves for you soon!

8pm seems quite late if you don't mind me saying. My DS is 9 and goes to bed before then, my 6yo dd is in bed by 7, in fact its lights out at 7.

Not read that book but have read the NCSS for babies, which helped a lot.

You have my sympathises though, my DS woke every night until he was 5, his was medical though and at least he went to bed early.

Have you read this and this on food to aid sleep?