How do I get my 7 year old out of my bed?( he's terrified of the dark and does't like sleeping alone.)
Let her sleep on a mattress on the floor... in your room.
And let her sleep with a bunch of stuffed animals or her loveys.
that is what we do with our kids, when needed.
Its no biggie.
We don't mind.
Also when our kids are sick, they can sleep on the floor of our room. Not IN our bed.
7 year olds... do get night time fears... still. My daughter is 7, almost 8. She is the same way.
all the best,
Susan
Well, he's going to have to deal with sleeping alone but as far as the dark, you can use a night light. Keep his bedroom door open if that will help reassure him. I have those sensor night lights throughout my house so that if anyone walks by one, it automatically turns on for 90 seconds and turns off by itself. You need to be stern with the sleeping on his own, out of your bed. You did not mention if you are married. I can clearly see why this would be a problem for you and your spouse anyway. Your child is 7 years old, not 7 months. Big age difference. Perhaps he can sleep with a favorite stuffed animal. Sometimes a body pillow offers comfort. Kind of feels like a person but it's only a pillow. Once you start enforcing him to sleep in his own bed, do not back down and make exceptions. Children are masters at manipulation and you need to be the one in control, not the child. Make sure you are not fostering fear in your child by talking about monsters and other such imaginary things. Someone posted to try a "protecting character." Children have vivid imaginations and once you start inviting "good" imaginary characters, it's only a matter of time before he starts imagining the scary ones too. Try the night light, though. That should help.
Hello - I didn't havethis issue personally but here's what I would do. Ease them out gradually. First, like Susan said, put their mattress on the floor in your room. Be firm and be the parent - kids are smart and will play on your weaknesses. Do that for say 1 week. Then start moving the mattress further away. (Not sure how far away your 2 bedrooms are though). When their mattress makes it to their own room you can buy them new sheets, new PJ's, a lamp, special stuffed toy etc.
I do remember my son having an issue with "Monsters under the bed" for a while and I had a magic protection spray that only Mommies can buy. We would spray his room down every night and tell the monsters that they cannot come in. I just made up a cool can cover on the computer and tape/glued it on to a can of air freshner. I only ever used that scent in his room though!
Just be consistant with what you decide to do. They do grow out of it. Also check out a book or movie that helps with night fears.
Good luck
M. F
Sounds like he has the fear paralysis reflex. PM me for info. I can help him.
we have a turtle that projects stars all over the room and that helps withthe dark issue but sleeping alone is hard to explain to a kid when most parents dont sleep alone.
http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Twilight-Constellation-Night-...
Perhaps a musical wind-up toy, special blanket and/or a night-light to keep him safe.
A special "protector" is cool. The imaginary tiger or bear who stays in the room to alleviate his fear of being alone. I did this with one of my sons. A poster with a picture of a tiger he named "Lucky" watched over him. He felt safe. So did I.
