8 Year Old Having Trouble Sleeping?????

Oh yes, I had a very difficult time falling asleep as a kid, I would just lie in bed for HOURS trying so hard to fall asleep. And I was a healthy and active kid.

A few things can help, white noise (like a blowing fan), a brain dump... in which if the reason he can't sleep is b/c his mind is racing, he can write his thoughts down and that can help him fall asleep, lavender spray or sachet under his pillow, chamomile tea, and also melatonin. Melatonin is an all natural supplement and can safely be given several times a week. We give it to our boys when they have a problem sleeping, about 30 mins before bedtime. It isn't a sleeping pill, or like drugging them with Nyquil or anything, but it does help calm the mind and body to become more restful. I really think that would help him. You can find it in your vitamin/supplement isle.

How much exercise does he get a day?

He should be pretty active like 2 hours a day of swimming or riding his bike, running. Do you all run together?

What time does he wake up in the morning?

What is his day like?

Make sure he is not just using his brain but also his body.. Too much TV and video games can also cause our brains to rewire. We need down time. the intense concentration on TV and videos interferes with our mind// It has trouble calming down.

Maybe get him some "Celestial Seasoning' " Sleepy Time tea".. It helps to calm a person down. It is all natural.

If this continues, take hm to the doctor for a check up.. Some thyroid problems can cause this. Have you checked his pulse when he is resting?

Did he have his annual check up?

He will be a "Tween" soon. Tweens are from 9-12 years old.
And even at 8 to 9 years old, there are developmental changes that occur, growing pains, physical changes and cognitive as well. And it can tweak them.

What does he do before bed??? Any screen time? I recently read a study that said that the light from devices/computers/iPads etc, emit a light that actually disrupts sleep.

You can try Chamomile tea. In Europe, they use this, for kids and adults, to relax. My Mom uses it too. I do too. It is soothing.
There is also "Hylands Calms Forte- for kids." Even adults use this, they have an adult one too. You can Google Search it. Natural food stores have it/whole foods etc. It is homeopathic. And not habit forming.

Google search "Tween Boy Development" and many good articles will come up. Read it.

My daughter is 9.... will be 10 this year. And even from 8 years old... they really start to change developmentally. Even the Teachers will say this. They are on the "cusp" of becoming Tweens. Some hit it earlier some later.

Whatever you do, don't scold him. He seems to genuinely, have a hard time falling asleep. Maybe try talking with him. With my daughter, when she is like that, we chat in the dark before bed. And I give her a foot massage. That helps.

We have dealt with this a lot! our son is also 8.5 and he works himself up into a fit if he can't sleep. We have found that making sure he goes to bed without being tired we have the most success. We also have given him a radio with soothing CDs to play at night, that has helped as well. We do allow him to keep his closet light on, but only until we go to bed, then it gets turned off. Most of the time he has fallen asleep by then. Since we have started this he hasn't had a meltdown unless we send him to bed after he gets tired.

His crying would make me think that he is not faking it / stalling on bedtime. My suggestion would be for him to read a book in his bed before lights off. Make sure he doesn't watch tv before bed (those bright lights affect the brain negatively before bedtime). Might sound babyish, but you could also have him put on his "nighttime lotion" and put some of that lavendar baby lotion on his neck/arms so that the soothing smell can put his brain into sleep mode.