My 3 yr old son has always slept through the n ight pretty well. Suddenly, he is afraid of the "tigers". We talked about his fear. I am not sure if he can understand the concept of a dream. For almost 2 weeks, everynight, he has come into my bed to sleep. Any suggestions, will he eventually grow out of it. I think I spoil him because I let him stay up with me until he passes out on the couch. I think he likes the alone time with me and gets to watch TV. Do I let him cry it out in bed or shelter him from his "tiger" fear?
2006-08-08 13:59:31 · 7 answers · asked by MrsMaltz 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Go on a tiger hunt with him. Arm him with a wooden spoon and a saucepan lid, get yourself something similar, and get that tiger out of his room. Before bedtime, make a big noise in his room with him to scare out any tigers. Explain that tigers hate loud noises and so the noise will make sure they're all gone before he goes to bed.
Then, provide him with an anti-tiger device - a brooch or something special-looking that he can put under his pillow. Explain that this is a special anti-tiger device you bought for him and that now it's in his room, it's impossible for tigers to come in.
And you know he should be going to sleep at a regular bedtime every night, about six or seven at that age. It's important that he gets enough sleep.
When he wakes up at night, perform the anti-tiger ritual, and then make him go back to his bed. Sit with him for a little while if he is upset. Don't tell him it's all in his imagination because for him, it may seem very real. Although, he may be just using the tigers as an excuse by now because it's worked in the past and it's still working - he gets to sleep with mummy when he complains of tigers.
So do the anti-tiger rituals, make sure he has his anti-tiger device, and stick with it.
2006-08-08 14:07:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When my son was having some problems I would go and lay in his bed and read him a bedtime story or just lay there with them. My son has a TV in his room and he goes asleep a lot faster while he is watching TV (cartoons or DVD/VHS.) To this day and he is 8 yrs old now. He still does this routine. Every now and then he'll ask for a bedtime story and when I'm finish he can still watch TV or he'll fall asleep fast.
Something else to think about. As an infant I would give him my t-shirt that I've worn for that day as a blanket or lay it in his bed and put him on top of it. This way he can smell you while he is trying to sleep. You will need to do it for a while and he'll finally realize it is comforting. I also leave the hall light on for him and possible another light, like the bath room with the door slightly ajar or the light above the stove/sink. This way he can see his surroundings.
Good Luck!
2006-08-08 14:09:46 · answer #2 · answered by Paula 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His fear is real to him. Talk to him about it, go through the room, look under the bed, in the closet, show him it's not there. Maybe a small, easy to work flashlight, so he can turn it on when he gets scared, or a night light. If he still comes to your bed, I think I'd let him stay. It won't last forever. He is still very young.
Monitor what he watches on TV also.
2006-08-08 14:04:36 · answer #3 · answered by Lindy357 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe take him to a zoo and show him baby tigers and tell him how nice they are. If you can get to the zoo read to him a lot of tiger books (nice ones) I use to have nightmares that mosters were under my bed and it helped for a little while when my mom moved my bed room around and it really helped when she swtiches my room into the guest room so if you have another room to put him in that would be great and let him no THERE ARE NO TIGERS IN THERE. hope I helped. :)
2006-08-08 14:05:17 · answer #4 · answered by tabatha1333 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would totally let him come to bed with me when he is scared. he'll get over it eventually and he'll want his space and won't come to sleep with you when this phase passes. they're only young once. as long as you don't mind it and you can both get some sleep at night it shouldn't be a problem. forget what dr. phil says!
2006-08-08 14:06:24 · answer #5 · answered by artistkim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
got a con job for you it worked here go to this site and look for dreams ta da sneaky and works ,,,freebie site
2006-08-08 14:06:29 · answer #6 · answered by Clyde 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take him back to his room -- put him back in bed and sit in the room until he falls asleep -- he wants your attention -- he wants your bed.
2006-08-08 14:05:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋