3 year old doesn't sleep

[user1463007194]

Hello,

Desperate for any advice- my son will not sleep without me. Without going into a long list of what I have tried it includes hiring a sleep specialist -which still didn't work. He is so stubborn, I've tried so hard to get him into his bed - the sleep specialist said he's one of the worst cases she's had in 20 years. He will fall sleep within minutes but will constantly wake hysterically crying for me within a few mins -20 mins rarely he will sleep for an hour before waking but this is a luxury. I am at university atm with lots of work to do in the evening, so it's absolutely killing me I go to bed so late as I'm up and down with him all night. When I do go to bed, we share a small double & then he lays all over me he has to be basically on top of me. I am broken now after 3 years of this & cant take much mode. I've gained so much weight, I feel so ill. Should add I'm a single parent - If anybody could offer any advice or even just let me know that things get better I would really appreciate it!

I am in a similar boat, I sleep on my sons floor with a thin mattress that way I can get a good nights sleep without being kicked, is it something you could try? could u do your homework in his room with a dim light or on the landing? Also regarding meals I try to precook them and put them in the fridge to warm up so I’m getting some decent meals. Also if my son cries I go in and tell him I won’t be long just getting a shower, he’s ok with this as I do go back in 5 mins later. I know I have not given you no solution at all but sometimes I think they just need us so for me it’s about getting some sleep. Is he able to tell you what’s wrong? Mines scared of the dark.

The other thing I have read about but not tried it myself is, you get a cushion and call it the sleepy cushion, u sit on it until they’ve fallen asleep, if they wake you sit back on it until they fall asleep again, after a few nights move the cushion further away, with a view to be out of the door by 2 weeks, maybe you could try.