How do I get my 10 yr old daughter to sleep in her room alone?

Question

She is 10 yrs old and is scared to death to sleep in her room alone..She's been having nightmares of someone breaking in and trying to hurt her.It's so bad that at night when I try to make her go to her room to sleep,she cry's hysterically and begs me not to make her sleep alone.And when I have tried to stay stern about it,she forces herself to stay awake all night long...I am very concerned about this and do not know what to do...Should I seek professional help?Should I let her just sleep in our room until she is ready to go back on her own?She is 10 yrs old,but she is still a little kid...I am really lost here and need some good advice..Any thoughts...Oh,we have tried night lights,letting her sleep with the tv or stereo on,I've tried staying til she fell asleep,but she wakes as soon as I try to leave,and I've tried making her sleep alone,nothing has worked...Any suggestions?

Answer 1

What sparked this sudden fear? Was it a movie or book, or maybe hearing about a similar event happening to a friend? How long has it been going on? Talk to your daughter about what caused this fear. If you have a security system, explain how it works. Have her help you come up with a plan to make your house safer. See if she has any ideas that would make her feel more comfortable in her room. What if you turned her bed so she's not looking out her window at the scary shadows each night? Either let her or together check all the windows and doors at night to be sure they are locked. Assure her that if she needs you in the night, she can yell or call out and you will hear her. Maybe even look into letting her take some self-defense classes, if she's interested. Most importantly, do not tell her fear is "silly". Instead, let her know that you understand what she's going through, and that you want to help her conquer it.

Answer 2

I feel really bad for her. Maybe read to her until she goes to sleep and (only happy stories) I am sure you have a night light. Try leaving her and your door open. I know that this is a bit extreme, but have you considered getting her a dog. I always had one . I was always one for bad dreams and it really helped a lot. Fill her bed with stuffed animals also. Good luck she will be okay, it may be bumpy for a few more years and I doubt she will want to do many sleepovers and I know it is hard on you, but I promise in a few years you will be joking about it, She is just a nervous kid , she will grow out of it. Good luck. You are a good mom.

Answer 3

i used to be the exact way but i was about 8
i got that way with nightmares and my room was closets to the dark creaking stairs the littlest noises or shadows of light moving would scare me alot i would just sneak in my moms room by crawling in and sleeping on her bedroom floor at 10 (i moved) and i would all ways turn on the hallway light and when i was scared i would just sleep on the floor of my moms bedroom then i used 2 lock my bedroom door so i feel safer ...now I'm 13 and not even scared ....i don't think i helped that much just telling you its normal ..i don't think you really need to seek professional help...even if it dosent seem like it it will go away on its own

Answer 4

ok get a bible let her sleep with it then pray with her and tell her to say this every nite befor she goes to sleep "God now lay me down to sleep,I pray to lord my soul to keep,if i die befor i wake i pray the lord my soul to take" if she is still scared after that tell "her gods might be with her gods strength to uphold her and if something happens to you it shall happen to me evrything will be ok"kiss her forehead say good night plug in a nightlight and keep the door open.

Answer 5

This is why co-sleeping is never a good idea.

Once you start it you have a difficult time getting the child to sleep in his or her own bedroom.

Answer 6

omg! me too!!!! i am scared to DEATH to sleep by myself and i am 11!