September 01, 2008
HELP, Child Insomniac
Please help! I'll take any suggestions. About 6 weeks ago, Hanna started having horrible sleep problems. She is suddenly scared of the dark (hello she's seven and never had this problem before), and can't get to sleep. She has tried to climb in our bed, which is totally a no-no, and wakes us up constantly. What can I do for her? We've tried the light on in her closet, night lights, primary songs, ocean wave sounds, she slept in the little boys room for awhile...seriously I don't know what else we can do. We say a little prayer with her nightly to help, but that doesn't always work either. She says she's afraid of lightening and wind. (We get that like twice a year in Las Vegas, so not really sure where she got that one). Okay so I've tried to be understanding and patient, but the patience is wearing off and my "Monster Mommy" claws are starting to surface when she comes out of her room for the 5th or 6th time at night crying to me saying "I can't go to sleep". If you have any suggestions, please let me know. My already thin patience is waning.
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12 comments:
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I am sorry! You have tried everything I would suggest. Maybe camping out in the brother's room until she feels like being back in her room? Or giving her something to do when she can't sleep...like a journal by her bed to write her thoughts in. That way when she wakes up she does that instead of waking you up.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
So sorry...just what a pregnant momma doesn't need! My suggestion is to put a clock in her room and give her a chapter book. Tell her she has to read for 15 minutes before she can come wake you up. My kids don't have total sleep problems, but this works for them. The book takes their mind off their worries and also makes their eyes get tired. Hope you find something that works!!!
Melissa
P.S. I'm in the Laurels - but there are 4!! adult leaders in the Laurels. Kinda weird.
I kinda had that problem when I was young. My mom would let us bring a blanket in her room and sleep on the floor. We never got to sleep in the bed but it made me feel better when I was scared to be in the same room. I usually don't like kids in my room but it's not as bad if they are just on the floor. Then, at least, it doesn't ruin my sleep.
We do the same thing as Anne, the kids can sleep on the floor...Adon did it for a week and then was done!
I agree...you've tried everything that i would as weel...but sleeping in bed with mom and dad in our house is a no-no as well...Sleeping on the floor makes for a good solution...just don't make it TOO comfortable, so that it doesn't becomes a habit, and more fun than their own bed. then when they wake up again in the middle of the night, sometimes, they just go back to bed without even letting me know.
i like your friends suggestions about a book for 15 min...sounds like that might take care of itself
hoooo...just had another thougth...my kids have rice bags...for aches and pains, but a nice warm rice bag or something, might help as well, something warm and comfortable to cuddle up with...take an old FAVORITE piece of clothing, like a T_shirt, maybe one of yours, and make her a rice bag that you can warm up in the micro...for a couple of mins...maybe she'll feel like she is close to you without actually being close to you.
oh my GOSH!!! that was long!
oooo another thought...maybe just give her an old t-shirt of yours to sleep in.
Maybe it is an age thing because Christian keeps getting up telling me he can't sleep because he keeps thinking of "bad things". Not even sure what they are because he won't tell me. I know when I was a kid and had trouble sleeping my Mom always got out an apple box that we decorated and then I would tip it on its side stick my pillow inside of it and that is where I would sleep, like I was in my own little cave, but just for my head. My Mom even has pictures. It makes me laugh now, but, hey whatever works.
Hey Geneva! I just found your blog the other day through Ormes.
Anyway, when I read this post this morning I felt like I was reading our exact situation with Braxton...like exactly. We've tried all the same things, have all the same no-no rules but I am getting really cranky about getting woke up by my 7 year old!! It started a couple of months ago with him.
He won't sleep in his bedroom at all now, says he doesn't feel safe in there, won't sleep on the floor...apparently not safe either. Anyway, he has been sleeping in his little brother's room, in his bed with him, up on the top bunk, yes both of them are squished up in there. It is the "safest" place. What!? But only if Kobee is with him.
So, we keep hoping this phase ends sooner than later! Let me know if you ever find a solution and I'll do the same.
Gosh, I have no suggestions but it seems like everyone else has come up with some good ones. That is rough. You need your sleep right now!!!
Geneva, is this a going to sleep thing or staying asleep?? If it is just getting to sleep try getting her to sleep a bit earlier. Her cycle may be off. If is staying asleep, let me know what helps-I have two who wake me up most nights and sometimes three. Killer!!!
gen,
is hanna not tired yet,and staying awake? or having nightmares once she is asleep? i ended up resting next to hunter for 15 minutes when he was 5 with a not wanting to stay in bed problem. he needed cuddle mom and hunter time before falling asleep. i would do the same thing with him when he woke me up in the middle of the night. i would go and sleep with him for a bit until he fell asleep again. hanna reminds me of harrison-not tired until about 10 pm. let her stay up and read. they do get sleepy!
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