DS (5) suddenly waking up in night and refusing to sleep - WWYD?

[NutBiscuit]

Hoping someone here has some wise words for me!

DS is 5 and has been a brilliant sleeper for the last few years. Down at 7:30 and don't hear a peep from him all night.

Over the last month that has all changed. Now every 2 or 3 nights he is waking in the early hours and refusing to go back to sleep, saying he is scared. I'm not keen on having him come into my bed, as he has never done that, and also he is a real fidget!

At first I was "sleeping" on his floor until he went back to sleep and then creeping back to bed, but that was not always successful. Now I go into our spare bedroom which is right next to his, which seems to solve the "scared" issue, but he just WILL NOT GO BACK TO SLEEP!!!

Today we have both been awake since 3 am and it is breaking me.

What would you do? I am not thw most sympathetic person in the middle of the night so I admit I do get cross with him. He is also more clingy while he is awake, although unsure whether that is because he is overtired (vicious circle).

So....nightlight? Allow him to read all night as he wants? Just ignore the yelling? Allow him in bed with me?

If anyone can reassure me that this is just a phase and I will get my good sleeper back I would really appreciate it!

Oh the poor thing. He must be scared. Is he having night terrors? Does anyone else live with you?
I would definitely get him a night light.
But I also would let him in my bed. Even my ten year old occasionally has a hard time sleeping and gets in my bed. It hasn't led to any bad habits, he still sleeps well most of the time.

I would take him I to my bed. He may be a fidget but it’s better than getting up at 3.

We have an open bed policy in our house and it’s always worked well for this sort of situation.
Fear needs comfort.

My 7 year old has been doing this exact thing for the last couple of months. At first he was coming into my bed for a cuddle but then terrified when I tucked him back in his bed. He's got a nighlight that's permanently on, plus a camping lantern and a torch. I have no idea what to do now, he's exhausted and so am I.
He's not up every night now but sometimes I go to get him up in the morning and he's got his big light on and has fallen asleep over a book. I really feel for you OP, it's a horrible time.
But I agree, don't let him sleep in your bed. Fair enough, a cuddle and snug in for 20 mins but then back to his own bed.
Here's hoping it gets better for us both.

Thanks all. No night terrors as far as I know. Think this started with a bad dream and now he is worried about the possibility of a bad dream.
DH is also here but it's always me that DS wants in the night.
I just don't understand what can be so different now to a month ago!
I REALLY don't want him in my bed. That would mean DH having to leave (we wouldn't all fit) and it's just so much disruption.
I think I will have to get him a nighlight. But last night we had the hallway light on and if anything I think it disurbed him more

What about a dream catcher? Or give him a vitamin/mint/etc and tell him it's a special tablet to keep the bad dreams away. But they only work if he's in his room? Hopefully that will help

Dream catcher could be a good shout. We had some success with him writing down an "order" for a good dream to be delivered to him, but it doesn't always work, and wasn't sure if it was actually focussing his mind on the possibility of a bad dream right before bed, iyswim.

massive sympathy and empathy... my youngest child of 5 children does the same and nobody can tell me I'm inexperienced or doing something wrong as other 4 all good sleepers when young. my 6 year old has nightmares despite the most benign existence possible - still only allowed "babyish" TV (restricted times). His life is simple, routine based, stable and yet he wakes up terrified and whatever we do (and we are way way past saying our bed is off limits) he won't go back to sleep. He has no developmental issues. Affecting life a great deal, no coping at work. If anybody has any genius and original ideas having been through similar, appreciated.