Bedtime/Separation Anxiety??? - Culpeper,VA

Its not permanent. It is a temporary thing. Phase.
Kids go through these things.
So you can either be a hardliner about it, or not.
Depending how to see it.

And yes, kids go through, "stress" and many emotions which adults do. But they are younger, than us. Hence, they do NOT have the same coping skills or emotional management about things, as us.
That is normal.
And sometimes, at SCHOOL... kids talk about all kinds of things or things they heard or seen and they say stuff at school. Thus, they get 'scared' of things sometimes. But they are young. They don't have the logic or deductive reasoning, that we adults have. Hence, they don't handle emotions/fears/unknowns, like we do. It may be matter of fact for an adult, but it is not for a young child.
ie: once my daughter in 3rd grade was getting scared of the dark again and being in the bathroom by herself etc So instead of getting all irked about it I just asked her why. Well apparently kids at school were telling other kids scary stories. And it got the other kids scared.
So of course we talked to her about it. But scary feelings like that don't just all of a SUDDEN go away. For a young kid. They have, imaginations. But in time, they get over it.
... just because a kid is 6... that does not mean that all of a sudden, any 'fears' or separation anxiety just vanishes. It is not about age. This is childhood. Even older kids, get afraid of the dark, or about what they've seen or heard. These things are 'abstract' for them. Not tangible. And they have imaginations. They process things, differently than adults.

So, look at it in perspective. Per his age and what is going on in your lives.

Emotions, imaginations, 'fears', phases, wanting to be near Mom/Dad at night... these things are not finite. Or permanent. It ebbs and flows. That is normal. Even in spite of age.

I ditto "B" below.
That is what we have done.
And it is no problem.
We have had a floor futon in our room.
The kids can go there if need be. And it doesn't wake us all up. They are happy. And life goes on.
It is not permanent.
It is childhood.
It is no big deal.
If a kid needs comforting at bed. Then its okay to do that. But you let them know in a kind way, that this is not a permanent habit or thing. It is for now, because you 'understand' they are having a hard time at bed, for now. Childhood.

And if the move is affecting him, ask him. And tell him its okay. Its normal. He is not the only one. Even adults feel that way. OR, talk about it in a fun light manner. SHOW him photos of the place you are moving to etc. and about all the fun things that are there. I mean, websites of cities, can be found online. But he is young. And yes, talking about it, 6 months prior, can be too far in advance to tell fully, about it.
Moving... just the idea of that, makes even ADULTS anxious. So for a little child, why not too? They get feelings/apprehensions too about it.
Adults get "stressed" about moving. So same for children.
Talk about it, in a fun, way. If you keep, talking about it. Or focus on OTHER things. Not about the move, all the time.
Young kids, have NO idea, about "time frame." They don't know what "6 months" is. Even 1 hour, is a LONG time for them.
So keep expectations about his reaction to it, per him. And his age.

I suggest you stop talking about the move. At six he has little concept of time. I suspect this why he's anxious.I suggest you reasure him that you're not moving soon. Ask him if he's worried about the move and talk as long as he wants. Assure him you will not leave him.

Six months ahead of a move is much too early to prepare him. Talk with him about the move after you have the plans worked out and you're begining to actively work towards the move. Have him help with the move.
He is too young to understand what is happening until something is actually happening.

Set up a sleeping bag next to your bed.
He has to start the night in his own room.
If he wakes up, he can come to your room and sleep in the sleeping bag without waking you up.
Everyone just gets more sleep this way.
Eventually he'll outgrow it.

Don't talk about moving any more until your a week away from it happening. And separation anxiety would be from being separated from you or dad. I would just do what your doing as far as putting him back to bed. But no discussion sometimes the "it's ok your ok...." can cause as much anxiety as anything else. I would say get to bed period. Sometimes we over explain things instead of just saying do it lol.

Six months in his life is an eternity. Quit discussion it with him. Less is more. If you are going to move, a few weeks before you tell him. And tell him in a very matter of fact way mentioning the positives. Less is more remember.

It's most likely a stage. A lot of kids go through this. Things that can help:
-Don't talk about the move anymore.
-Help ease his sleeping fears (as a sep issue from moving) by
changing the channel during scary movie trailers, putting a nightlight in
his room, showing him there is nothing in his room/closet, make sure
he's tired (exercise during the day) when he goes to bed.
-show him you put a wooden dowl in the window track so it can't be
opened
-buy him a Dreamlight. Totally worth it. He can turn it on himself by his bed. It will go off automatically in 15 mins.

Seems to me that he has thoughts about moving and in moving you or dad leaving him. I would put all talk of moving on the back burner and just assure him night after night that no one is going anywhere. Also, it may be that waking up at that time has become a habit. You might want to consider giving him a small dose of melatonin for a night or two to help him stay asleep. If it is a habit, a couple of nights of not waking up will break the habit.

Good luck!