So my nephew is 6 years old, he has had a lot of things go on that most kids dont deal with (his father passed away a few years ago and now a friend of the family whom he stays with a lot is sick) I found out that he has been sneaking into my friends room and sleeping in his bedroom then waking up before my friend even knows he was there. I also found out he has been having bad dreams about my friend dying... How do we deal with this? I feel he is too old to be sleeping in someone elses bed, but I dont know if under the circumstances it is ok? any advice is appreciated.
2007-02-26 09:54:02 · 4 answers · asked by Collin 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
My friend is not a parent techincally but he may as well be, he has been raising my nephew for 2 years now since I am in school, etc. so that is not really the issue.... my nephew considers him to be like his dad since he was so young when his own father passed away, and his mom is not in his life at all... but yeah just thought id put that out there
2007-02-26 10:11:58 · update #1
he apparently has some understanding of death and you should speak with him openly about his feelings. his fears are coming out in his dreams and causing nightmares. the nightmares can be toned down or completly removed if he talks about how he feels on a regular basis. let him know death is okay and talking about how he feels and what he feels is okay. sleeping with the friend that is dying; is natural and should be okay to do. let them have that time together if it makes him feel better about the situation.
2007-02-26 10:04:11 · answer #1 · answered by Darlin1_66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes children need reassurance that sleeping by themselves does not provide. My son just turned 7. From time to time he wants to sleep with me. I let him, he has also had to deal with several losses in his young life. Whenever, the child seems willing, talk with him about the things that are bothering him. Once my son gets to feeling better and less nervous he returns to his own bed. (Oftentimes, you just have to feel the situation out. Boys are normally independent/territorial, and tend to return quickly to their own set routines quickly.)
However, if you are really concerned, you may want to take him to a counselor.
Best Wishes.
2007-02-26 10:06:50 · answer #2 · answered by Rahab 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not a good idea to have your 6 year old sleeping with non-parent adults.
Our child didn't like going to bed alone - so we would lay down with her until she dozed off.
Sounds like some therapy could help!
2007-02-26 10:03:50 · answer #3 · answered by liddabet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what he is doing is normal ,and it sounds like he has a heard time dealing with death you should get him help
2007-02-26 10:07:41 · answer #4 · answered by chrisandlindsayjohnston 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋