My 7 year old waking up two or three times a night!

[ForeverFearless]

It's been going on for months. We are both knackered.

The problem is she wakes up, comes and wakes me up. Then she goes back to sleep within 15 mins but then I can't get back to sleep.

So tonight she woke at 1am and then 2.30. The second time I couldn't get back to sleep and have been sitting downstairs ever since.
This happens every night - but not at the same time. I have child induced insomnia.

This has been going on for months and months...with a few good nights every few weeks.

It's breaking me. I'm knackered. Can't concentrate at work. So tired at weekends to do anything. No patience with the kids. Low self esteem and comfort eating and so putting on weight.

Have tried everything, nightlight, talking to her (she says she's scared in her room by herself) school nurse advice.

I don't know what to do ;( am desperate.

And now the birds have started effin chirping and I'll never get back to sleep... Xx

My eldest was like this and still isn't always the best sleeper.
We bought a double bed for her and I used to just jump in beside her when it was really bad.
She now has permission to read if she is struggling to sleep. I also taught her relaxation exercises to do which help her nod back off.
It's really tough.

Have you tried a bit of bribery/instant reward?

Give her a (decently sized) budget and pass her the Argos catalogue. Let her pick anything she likes to that budget. Then agree if she stays in her own bed for 7 nights in a row, she can have the toy. I would add in daily instant rewards too - a biscuit in the morning every night she manages it.

My son has been like this, sleeping soundly for the first couple of hours and then waking around eleven, and then repeatedly through the night. Been going on for ages.

We discovered last week that he has threadworms. Apparently they're at their most active and itchiest in the night, hence the waking. We've treated the whole family, hoping for an improvement in sleeping for all.

Thanks for your replies and suggestions xx