My five year old has started waking up multiple times at night. It could be to go potty, get a drink, bad dream, scared of the dark etc. Almost any reason he can think of to get up. It is exhausting. I have tried talking to him, punishing him and have finally given up. I can't find the anwer. He started Kindergarden this year and has struggled somewhat with that. I just don't know what to do. HELP!!
Starting K is a pretty big deal. Might have to wait it out til he sorts out what is bothering him or you can try an after school or evening activity to tire him out. My son did the same thing. We tried a bedtime snack and that seemed to help him get through the night. Good Luck
What if you explained that it's okay if he gets up but that you need to sleep so that you can be ready for the next day. I might try something like giving him two poker chips and say, "these are your mommie chips, you can use them to call me at night, once they are gone you can be awake if you need to but you cant call for me. You'll have to go to the bathroom, get a drink etc by yourself". Then stick to it even if he calls you. Put a flash light next to his bed if he gets scared, leave lights on in the bathroom.....send the message that he's big enough to deal with whatever his needs might be. It's worth a try. You'd have do decided though, if you think doing this on top of starting kindergarten would be too much independence before he is ready. Good luck ~ D.
set up a reward chart and give him a sticker for staying in bed all night...at the end of the week select the reward (my daughter loves getting $.25 to spend on gum.) also, make sure he has full tummy with a snack, goes potty etc before you tuck him in.
we go through times when my daughter is scared at night too...we put a sleeping bag and blankets on the floor and tell her just to come in if she gets scared without waking us. this happens during the summer when there are a lot of storms at night.
Hello I am sorry for your ordeal. Do you have him on a schudule and also maybe dont give him sweets after a certian time. sometime red stuff like kool-aide;popcycles I was told the red stuff makes kids hyper; nothing that will make him thirsty maybe a lil excersize after dinner to get him tired a walk maybenothing to strenuious that will make him overly tired and not be able to rest or sleep. watch his diet. Let me know ok I'll try to help all I can ok God Bless and Good Luck...M...SSC
H.,
It sounds like your five year old may still be insecure about kindergarten. Also are you fully potty trained? Could they be getting up because of frequent need to go to the bathroom. You could limit fluids in the evening to help it is bathroom needs. It they are scared of the dark, we use a dimmer switch in our kids room and a night light which helps keep the room dimmly lit. Also maybe a small amouont of water at the bedside. We tell our child they are only allowed out of bed to go to the bathroom. Good Luck with your sleepless nights.
K.
Is he going to bed at a decent time? He may be over tired or he may be sleeping during naptime at school and not tired enough at night. You may want to talk to his teacher regarding that.
My child did the same thing around that age. I think he was having some seperation anxiety.(I too, was a stay at home mom.) He got to where he wanted to sleep with us every night. We have a deal now that he can pick one night a week to sleep with us. This has seemed to help. You could make a deal with him that he can sleep with you one night, if he stays in his bed the other nights. Another thing, we let him pick out something at the store that he would want to sleep with. He picked out a soft pillow and also a new light to keep on at night.
Dear H.
I don't want to laugh but it sounds like me when I was little and some how I made it through. My mother had 4 kids and I was the second child. I have worked in the schools and now that this sounds common. I know it can be tiring because I heard it from my mom. Becareful of what he watches on TV (that's a biggy) believe it or not it sets the thoughts deep in that makes on not want to sleep. watch the sugar intake and make sure he gets lots of exercise during the day. I know plain warm milk used to help me sleep better along with the above. TV was the biggest. Too much food at night gives the body aboost to want to move,instead of slow down for the night. Try a light snack like yogurt. Good luck.
He maybe having some anxiety issues. Try keeping more active during the day this may help. Melotonin may help. It's totally safe and natural. Our brains already makes melotonin its made when it starts to get dark out. Talk to your doc. first. Good luck. Don't punish him he obviously can not sleep.
