My 4 year old son has troubles sleeping in his own room at night. He would be fine when we were there to accompany him. But if he wakes up in the middle of the night and we're not there, he would start crying and screaming. He says he's scared of the dark. But we always let the night light in his room on. Any idea why the night light is not helping at all? also any suggestion as to what we should do?
2007-02-20 07:05:03 · 7 answers · asked by - surabaya - 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Your four year old is 'manipulating' you because he's waking up at night and doesn't like 'being alone' ... get him a 'special sleep stuffed animal' and only give it to him when he goes to bed ... then simply IGNORE him crying and screaming at night until you have 'counted to one thousand.' After you go in to 'comfort him' and give him his animal then you should leave the room again, and NOT stay until he falls asleep again. After one week of counting to one thousand, count to two tha\ousand, and the third week to three thousand ... eventually your child will 'sleep the night through' and you won't have him trying to 'manipulate you' any more. In the morning, take his 'sleep animal' away and 'hide it' until bedtime ... that way he'll 'love it' ONLY when he's in bed and that will help him 'transfer' his focus from you to the animal.
2007-02-20 07:14:04 · answer #1 · answered by Kris L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was 11 there was some similar incidents that happened with a "neighborhood bully/brat" but I must admit nothing this insane. My Mom and another parent went to speak to his parents and though they didn't answer the door someone must have approached them elsewhere because he never came around our houses again - he stayed near his own house and the issues disappeared. You most certainly need to speak to the parents - perhaps other neighbors will join you. They probably will not believe you or even do anything to the children. I would avoid going into depth with the children as they may twist the story. If talking to the parents doesn't seem to help I would go to the local police station and see if neighbors will come with you so they know it is serious not a "he said, she said" case. Maybe an officer can go over and speak to the children and parents. All else fails, set up a camera, record everything, document with dates, times and notes and take them to court and get a restraining order - granted they like next door but the court order can make it so that they enter your property (yard, garage, etc.) and serious things will happen. Hopefully the parents aren't going to be worthless but I have a feeling that if the kids are acting this way it probably stems from the parents and you may have to take all measures which isn't fair at all to you and your family. Good luck.
2016-05-23 23:18:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him a very dim lamp and see if that helps. His night light probably only lights up a very small area of his room..while the rest of his room is still dark and "scary" to him.
If the lamp doesn't work and he says he's still afraid, then my guess would be he's just testing you.
ETA: The first answerer suggested checking under his bed, etc. I wouldn't recommend that as that is basically "admitting" to him that there could be something in his room that is scary. What you *should* do is reassure him there is *nothing* to be afraid of.
2007-02-20 07:12:18 · answer #3 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My 2.5 yr old wakes up in the middle of the night all of the time. My pediatrician associated this with growing pains similar to restless leg syndrome, just a suggestion
2007-02-20 08:28:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This may sound weird but have him look out the window before bedtime. Doing this will stop his nightmares if that is waking him up. Also have him watch you look in the closet, under bed, etc. before he goes to bed. Good luck.. You need to find out what he's afraid of then go from there.
2007-02-20 07:10:50 · answer #5 · answered by aimstir31 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh, I was so happy to see your question. I have a three year old you is behaving EXACTLY the same. We don't know what to do! He keeps screaming and freaking out if we are not with him at night. Anyone with any ideas would be greatly appreciated by us also!!!!!
2007-02-20 07:20:34 · answer #6 · answered by melissa H 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
put a picture of you and your husband near his bed where he can see and do not place any mirrors near the bed. give him his favorite toy that's not sharp or hard to sleep with.
play soft, low volumn music
2007-02-20 07:15:48 · answer #7 · answered by jean 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋