Sleeping - Oklahoma City,OK

My son got his big boy bed when he was two also and his sleeping patterns changed a little. He became more scarred of weird things like the closet that were never an issue before. After a couple of weeks of sleepness nights and a little talk as best he could about what he felt was wrong with his "new" room, we decdided to take him to build a bear. His dad and him built a "safe monkey" which has a recording of his dads voice saying " hi bud, its dad.. I am so proud of what a big boy you have become.. mommy and daddy love you.. we will see you in the morning." as well as a heart in the chest that makes a heart thumping noise.

Since then we have not had any problems, sometimes at night after he has been laying down for a little while you can hear the monkey talking but he doesnt get up or get scarred anymore.

He takes the monkey with him now whenever he feels a little uncomfortable, like when we went on a plane for the first time.

Good Luck.

My bet is that is has a lot to do with it. Children naturally "feel" the fear around them. Do you have a bedtime routine? Do you tell reassuring nighttime stories. What about some soothing music and a fan going to block out any sounds that may awake him during the night. Be gentle but firm and let him feel your concern but not in an emotional way. This will probably take some time, but in the end you will sleep again!

We had the same issue, and boy was it hard! I can so sympathize with you! I tried a night light, and it didn't seem to help much, and finally we got her to tell us that noises were bothering her. between the dark and the noises, she had convinced herself that there was some really scary stuff in her room at night (she has a very healthy imagination). We started putting on soft music at night for her along with the night light, and now she seems to be doing great again. Find a CD that he likes and that isn't too stimulating, and play it on repeat all night every night. It'll distract from any scary noises, and it will become part of the routine that signals his brain to go to (and stay) asleep. Good luck!

Ohh that does not sound fun... Maybe try to encourage him by rewarding him when he stays in his bed all night? Im sorry I wish I could help more, but thats all I got...

Good Luck

is he having night terrors? they can be pretty scarry and very realist to children.

This is very normal. He is beginning to understand his surroundings and is probably also pretty creative. He is scaring himself. .

The first thing you need to do is not lay down with with him. He needs to learn to go to sleep on his own. When you do your night time routine, read a book while sitting in a chair.This is not the time to engage your child with the book. Instead read quietly, almost monotone, so he will become drowsy. Towards the last few pages start to read slower and slower.

If he says he is afraid. Try to figure out why. Sometimes you will find out it is a shadow. Sometimes, they are lonely and need a lot of plush toys with them or a favorite toy to hold onto..

Our daughter said she had scary dreams, so we gave her some "dream coins" for under the pillow.. These coins look like quarters to you and me but they are magical talisman that protect children by keeping bad dreams away.. If he says it is monsters that are scaring him, get a small spray bottle and place water in it.. Tell your child this is "monster spray". When you spray it around the room, it keeps the monsters away..

Why don't you lay down with him one night in his bed, and just observe what he sees when the lights go out. Maybe it will give you a different perspective.
It could be something little. Like, maybe when things get quiet in the human department, other things come alive....like mice or something. Perhaps the rains and flooding created a situation where outside critters came inside through some small opening...and it gave him a big scare that he may not fully understand to tell you.