6 year old sleep at my wits end

[Beyondhope]

Please be gentle with me as I know this is a problem of my own making but I need advice.

My son is 6, will be 7 in July. Every night is the same routine. Wash, book, cuddles and goodnight kiss. I then sit on his floor by the door and wait to for him to fall asleep before I leave. It’s been like this since as long as I can remember. I just can’t do it anymore. It’s taking longer abs longer for him to fall asleep (lockdown definitely hasn’t helped) and I’m just exhausted by it all. I try abs leave and he screams and cries and comes downstairs and the night carries on like that until I end up falling asleep on his floor.

He told us he was scared of the dark and of certain things he had seen whilst watching YouTube. He has a nightlight and YouTube has been strictly policed for about 2 months now and it’s made no difference.

What can I do? I don’t want to just shut the door on him and hear him scream? But at the same time I feel like shutting my bedroom door and screaming that it’s all come to this.

Any advice appreciated.

Sorry you have it tough at the moment

Is it possible the current pandemic plus a fairly new sibling has unsettled things more?

My son is 7 and although he wasn't like this, he likes his bedroom door open while he falls asleep (he's fine with it shut once he's asleep) and he has the radio on low (usually classic FM ) - we generally leave it on low all night. It would drive me mad but he likes it. Would something similar help your son?

Do you have a partner who can help? If you're alone, can you form a support bubble with someone who can help?

Thanks for the message pumpkinpie

He’s been like this for as long as I can remember so don’t think it’s his brother that’s unsettled him.

I might try the music see if that helps. I remember being very homesick years and years ago when I went to university abs used to sleep with the radio on so it must definitely help.

He’s fell asleep quickly tonight (with me on his floor). But he’s exhausted from last night.

Yes I have a husband who’s very involved and wants to try and find a solution as much as I do. We both have our fair share of sitting on the floor and my son is generally the same whether it’s me or his dad in the room.