my 7 year old keeps waking. HELP!!!

[gemmalouise36]

I really need some advice. My 7 year old stumbled across something that frightened him on youtube, since then he wakes every single night and there is no pacifying him unless I sleep in the bottom bunk underneath him (I can't even creep out once he goes back off as he wakes again or shouts out to make sure I'm there) things I've tried: various lights, a new dream catcher, talking through the fact this thing he saw wasn't real, offering rewards, removing things (xbox, tv, switch) continually putting him back to bed - this went on from 2.30am until 5am when I gave in and got in the bunk bed. I have deleted youtube obviously but im all out of idea's 😔 I go back to work next week and really need to have this sorted by then. I live with my partner and 16 year old son, all of whom have been kept up by this (they have also tried to help/talk to him) I really am at a loss, if anyone has ANY advice at all please please help me 🙏

Not sure if you meant to post this in Politics.

@MistySkiesAfterRain

Not sure if you meant to post this in Politics.

Yup, I thought that.

My DS has gone through something similar. He doesn't get upset, but wakes up and comes looking for us. The only thing that's helped is talking about things not being real in the day, not at night, lots of reassurance and time.

Can you bring him in with you? We do that sometimes. Or sleep in with them if there's room.

Oh bless him. How long has it been going on for? I'd be inclined to treat it as a phase and focus on just maximising sleep and comfort for you both, even if it means him coming in with you or finding somewhere you can sleep in same bed. I went through a phase when I was 11 where I was super anxious of lots of things, including my mum dying, and I slept in bed with her for a few weeks till it passed.

If he's scared, rewards and stuff probably aren't going to work. His little brain might just need to work things through. Sounds horrible if he's waking up so scared

how recently was it OP?
have you tried:

1. audio books
2. sleep hypnosis - there are some great youtube videos with very chilled out voices (Michael Sealey is great) to put on to listen to on low volume next to him on your phone as he falls asleep
3. Changing his room around, decluttering and making it lovely for him? e.g. new duvet cover, something exciting to help him sleep?

Oh and I wouldn't remove his toys or punish him. It doesn't sound like it's pleasant for him at all. I think he might just need a lot of love and reassurance and patience. What was it he saw?

Could you put an airbed or something next to your bed and say he can come silently across the landing and sleep on there whenever he feels worried, but no more waking everyone up each night. A bit of bribery might help too - 50p for every night he can manage that without disturbing you for the next 2 weeks. After that, 50p for staying in his own bed all night for the next 2 weeks. Hopefully you'd be back to normal by then!