5 year old won't sleep in own bed

[Livpool]

Grateful for some help on this

DS is 5 (almost 6) and for the last week had refused to sleep alone in his own bed. Me or DH have had to sleep with him and the other in his bed.

Tonight he had gone to sleep in our bed alone and we will move him when we go to bed.

Please help before DH and I lose our minds

Hi OP, just wondering if you think anything might have triggered this? Any sudden changes or anything anxiety-provoking? Could it be the return to school after the summer break? If you can identify anything that may be causing him anxiety and help him to put that into words then that would be a good start.

I found the book ‘what to do when you dread your bed’ very helpful with my DS . In a nutshell, it’s about helping then to feel safe and secure in his own bed again: small steps and lots of encouragement are often the most helpful approach.

Thanks @shivermetimbers77 he went back to school on Thursday and was aware of it. He has also recently lost a tooth and another is wobbly.

Will look for that book - thank you

Given this does coincide with going back to school, that could be a trigger if it has come on all suddenly.

I'd be inclined to give that extra reassurance at bedtime, just in the short term until she needs less security. But doing it in her bed, her room, would be important.

Thanks - yeah we will keep trying in his room