My son used to go to sleep in his own room at his bed time with no fuss. In the last couple weeks, he won't stay in his room at nap time or bed time. We have a routine that we've followed since he was a baby. Bath, story, prayer, bed. He never cried. Now he cries, won't stay in his room, he says it's scary. We tried letting him snuggle with us untill he falls asleep, but as soon as we put him in bed he comes out crying again. I'm tired of fighting with him for hours to take a nap or sleep. Any suggestions.
He might be having night terrors. My son's been sleeping with me since he was 18 months old (he's 3.5 now) It's a definite insecure issue. He never got into having a security blanket or stuffed animals. But he does have 2 pillows to sleep with at night.
I would try putting him in his room, maybe a dim light on or a night light, you sit on the floor in there with him, start out right by his bed, then move closer to the door each night, until you are outside the door. It will take about a week and lots of crying. But the hard work will pay off, I saw the Super Nanny do something very similar, but with a baby in a crib. Try that out.
Are you a free lance make-up artist?
I have heard having something the child calls safe helps like having a stuffed animal, blanket, or something that he cherishes that he would feel would keep him safe from whatever is scaring him. Sounds like something spooked him in the night and it has scared him and it will take some time to show him that his room is ok but having something to have with him for reassurance should help. I have also heard that having a radio with some music playing quietly helps or a TV on that creates a little light. Hope all works out
We got my son a little tent that we put up in his room. He loves to sleep in that! He slept in it for about 4 months and then all of a sudden he decided he wanted to sleep in his bed again. After about 3 nights in a row of sleeping in his bed, we took down the tent and he has been in his bed ever since. I don't know why he needed the change or why this worked for him, but it's a suggestion!
Good luck!
K.
