Is She Sleepwalking????

Updated on September 16, 2008
F.H. asks from Gilbert, AZ
14 answers

For the last 3 nights, my almost 9 yo daughter has come out of her room between 10:00 and 10:30, stood there and looked at us, said something off the wall and then went right back to sleep when I got up and put her in her bed. The first night she didn't say anything, just looked at me and didn't answer when I asked if she was ok. The second night she came out and said "I don't want to do any jobs at school" and then went right back to sleep. Last night she came out and started crying, crawled up on my lap but wouldn't say anything and then when I walked her back to bed, she immediately fell back asleep. They are having class elections this week and she said she is trying for class representative. I'm wondering if it's just stress and too much going on with her right now and if anyone else has experienced this. I should mention she has always been a good sleeper, goes to bed herself and falls right to sleep and sleeps hard. I'm a very light sleeper thanks to being a mom, but now I find myself getting up several times the last couple nights to check on all the kids even more than I used to!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks Moms, I feel better now! We went to bed early last night since I guess I was lacking in sleep after checking on her so much that last few nights...so I don't know if she got up or not! I have OCD when it comes to locking the doors, they are locked constantly, even when we are home, so that isn't an issue. I think I may buy a baby monitor and keep it in the family room which is where she would end up if she comes out and we are already asleep...just to be on the safe side! Thanks for all your responses, I appreciate it!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I had the same situation when my 14 yr old was younger she would come out & do stuff all while she was asleep. It does sound like she might be stressing heself out with what is going on in her life. I bought my daughter a dreamcatcher & told her it would take all the stress away (kinda like a mind thing) it helped some but she still does it like when she is having a big test come up or something is really bothering her. Hopefully finding something that she thinks will help will work. Do becareful with having locks she can't reach just becasue depending on her dream or stress she could go out the doors & not know it. (I had a friend in school yrs ago that was a sleep walker but she would go outside & wander) scary.. I also have both my girls go in to bed 15 min before actual sleep time & just lay & relax maybe read a book gives their minds time to slow down this might help too.. good luck

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi. When I was a little girl I would get up early. I would also do the sleepwalking and my mom told me I would scare my sister, but this will pass for her. Like you said in the thing, she may be waking up because she is stressed trying to get class election. When she sleeps walks make sure your door is locked, and when she does that also just put her back to bed like you have been doing, or tell her to go lay down and she might do it on her own. :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.D.

answers from Phoenix on

I used to sleep walk when I was younger - but it passed. Please make sure all the doors are locked. Even more than that, make sure there is a lock out of normal reach so she can't unlock the deadbolt in her sleep. An alarm may also be an option. We found an alarm at walmart that makes a horrible noise when it is tripped.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Sounds like sleepwalking to me. I guess if the stress is the trigger for this...it may drop off on its own, but it would wise to be on the lookout for this again as other stressful times hit.
I'd also be sure to keep walkways/hallways clear or cleaned up so she doesn't fall over something that's usually not there.
My much younger daughter will sleepwalk and kind of stumble around. I am watchful too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.R.

answers from Albuquerque on

There called night terrors. My 8 year old does the same thing. At first I thought something was wrong with him because he would get up in the middle of the night and walk into walls with his eyes wide open and talk all of this nonsense. I took him to the doctor and they expalained to me that he was sleepwalking and that he would grow out of his night terrors and he has been having them less and less.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.B.

answers from Tucson on

It definately sounds like sleepwalking. I have a couple of kids that occassionally do the same thing. I also have an older brother who sleepwalks quite a bit- especially when he's stressed. Like it was already suggested, make sure that the walkways are clear and doors are locked. Hopefully once the election is over things will calm down. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Flagstaff on

Hi F.,
I think your daughter is probably sleep walking. I am 51 years old and I still occationaly sleep walk. Everyone said I would out grow it but I guess I missed that boat. However I only sleep walk, now, when I am under a LOT of stress. We have had some very amusing times looking back on some of the strange things I have done while completely asleep. I only remember the things I do if I get woke up or wake up on my own durning these times. One time I woke my self up by trying to get the lawnmower out of the metal storage shed. I banged to loud on the door way getting it out. One time I woke up at the end of the driveway where the cinders started. (Thank goodness for tender feet.:-) By the way locking the doors did not help me, I just some how unlocked them anyway.
I wouldn't worry too much and most people do grow out of it. When I want a heads up on my kids getting out of bed, after they have gone to bed I have put noisey krinkly plastic on the floor next to their bed. Even by stepping on it will make them get back in bed most of the time.
Good luck
M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi F.
Your daughter seems to me to be sleepwalking. Im no expert, but I did the exact same thing when I was 9. I think it was due to some kind of stress. I was in a play and had a big responsibility....stressful for a 9yo. I wouldn't worry too much. I think her brain is just sorting through her daily stuff and sleepwalking is the outer effect. Makes for good family stories at the dinner table!
Oh, I have given up on sleeping through the night until my kids are in college. ;0) Thanks to motherhood. Good luck to you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.W.

answers from Phoenix on

hi F.!
my daughter had the same problem when she was about the same age, she still sleep walks from time to time. alot of it has to do with not getting enough sleep...

let me know how you and your daughter are doing
good luck!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi, F. ~

I had "night terrors" when I was a little younger than your daughter. A type of sleepwalking, but I would be running around the house in a panic. It doesn't seem as though your daughter is in that kind of distress but I'd definitely say she's sleepwalking. The way it was explained to my parents was that a lot of things that aren't or can't be dealt with while we're awake have to be dealt with by our subconsciouses.

Long story short, I grew out of it. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just try to help her cope with the stress of the election and other social pressures during the day as much as possible. Maybe help her take some time to decompress right before bed.

~ R.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

I about fell off my chair when I read this. My 9 year old did the EXACT same thing twice this week too! She has never done it before. She came out of her room about 9:30 the other night saying the people told her to get to bed ???? We were like "what people?" and she never made sense so we just told her to go back to bed and she did. No memory of it in the morning.

Then the next night, same thing but this time she was saying something about getting something for her tooth. HU?!?? She's never really clear and never makes sense. Just told her to get back to bed.

So the following night I told her she needs to stay in bed, she needs her sleep and to quit getting up or she is going to get in trouble (not really but I wanted to see if it would work) and sure enough, she hasn't gotten up again. Every morning she asks if she stayed in bed all night! Weird....

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Yes, definitely sounds like sleep walking.

I've had one daughter with scary night terrors, she's 20 and of course out grew them. Now, my 6.5 year girl sleep walks regularly. OK, almost every night. And has been since she potty trained. We always direct her to the bathroom first, she always goes pee, then right back to bed and she never remembers it. We've tried limiting her pm fluids, but it's just so hot here in AZ and she came down with a UTI.

Most important: make sure the doors are locked, home is safe and have her go to the bathroom before going to sleep.

From what I understand the brain is in a dream state and is processing the day's events. Then simultaneously the bladder will send it's signal to the brain if it's full, the child arises but the dream state is still active. As they arise the urge to urinate is minimized, and they end up in some other part of the house, incoherent, and absolutely no memory of why they are there. And you can't converse with them because they are truly not awake.

Sweet dreams and happy guiding back to bed. She should out grow this very soon.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Tucson on

Hi F.-
I think that there is a very good chance she is sleepwalking. I did a lot of that as a youngster when I was stressed too much. If you have stairs, put up some sort of gate. Hope this is over soon. If, after the election is over, she is still sleepwalking, you'll need to have her assessed professionally. Also- it's a good thing you're a light sleeper. it'll probably be over soon:-) S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.E.

answers from Phoenix on

I would call it sleep walking. My son is nine now and the past few years I've experienced him coming out of his room. luckly I was up each time.
ONce he came out looking dazed and stood at the top of the stairs I had to direct him back to his room.
Another time I heard him and I to see what he was doing he came out of his room and stood by his trash can and was about to pee in it.
He also came into my office and stood by the desk and was about to pee.
He talks in his sleep too.
I am not sure if stress is related. I hope it becomes less and less for you.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches