11 Year Old Afraid to Sleep Alone

[KAM006]

My eleven year old son is afraid to sleep by himself. Up until last month he slept with us, his parents. Since school has started, we have him sleeping with his eight year old sister who is constantly complaining and not wanting him to sleep with her. He seems to have some fear about sleeping alone. We have tried nightlights, sleeping with the dog, etc. but nothing seems to work.

Also, he is always tired, he has indicated to us. We get him to bed by 9:00 p.m., with him falling asleep by 9:30 p.m. but he has to wake up by 6:30 p.m. We cannot seem to get him to bed any earlier.

However, our greatest problem is that he is extremely fearful of sleeping alone. What are your suggestions.

Also, do they make a children's sleep pill? He is restless throughout much of his sleep.

Thank you.

[haybug01]

ok well melatonion might help sleeping

[random430]

When I was younger, up until I was about 12 or 13, I would sleep in my parents' bed. The problem with sleeping alone, at least for me, was that my mind was left alone with all these terrifying thoughts that I myself constructed and couldn't help but construct. I started to share a room with my sister (different beds) and I know that helped a lot. Also, reading a book was probably the most helpful for me. The light was on and my mind was filled with what was going on in the book instead of what would normally be in my head during nighttime. I also learned that listening to the radio helps if you try to focus on the lyrics and the music. They helped lull me to sleep. My younger brother  is now 8 and we have started him on reading in bed because he doesn't want to share a room with his 9 year old sister (and she doesn't want him to either). I am now 17 and, at least for me, these things have worked relatively well. I have never been to a psychologist or psychiatrist. However, I sometimes pull out the old book now and then, as these things probably never go away completely. The best thing a parent can do is not act resentful towards a child that is scared of sleeping alone and really try many things to find the right solution. I hope I have helped in any way at all and hope all goes well.

[kaylie78696]

Awwwhh so cute.. what is this thing clleddd? nd where can you get it?? PLEASE REPLY to my story!!!

[woodbee7]

I brought our grand son a body pillow that he can hug and a voice activated light so if he get scarred he can hug the pillow or clap his hand together.Its working so far for him. i told him when he huggs the pillow  he can think it his nana and iam hugging him back

[kaylie78696]

I am 13 years old! PLEASE READ VERY IMPORTANT! and basically my dad has two wifes! and he takes turn in sleeping one day with us and the other day with his other family which for me are my real family... i thought this would be a great thing to post because i wanna let out all my emotcions, i am eally scared to sleepp alone.. but my mum and dad had gone out of town somday! and i satyed with my elder brther and his wife and i slept alone.. but still whn my parent came back i just felt blanc... whne my dad isnt with us i sleep with my mum in her room and that makes me feell safe... i feell like i am protected by my mum when i sleep with her i feel that i know there is someone who is there for me, whne my dad comes home after one day he sees how stressfull i am and without anything syaing he goes sleep with my elder brother who is 20.. they both enjoy eah others presence and play around and have fun... and my brothers talks and sleeps with my dad and them two always have fun in the room talking about my brothers job... and i sleep with my mum.. i feel so sadd whne i see my mum and dad separate from each other i just feel like to kill myslef!!!! i am soo sad! and very misrable! =( i just need some helppp to sleep alone! what should i do.. my family are trying to help me sleep! but i am tensed in school i am not able to really concentarte with all these things in my mind, and sometimes i feel whne my dad is in the other home my mum is sleeping alone so i join her all the tiem!!! i think i might have a poblem or something but i can try to sleep but i really would love to sleep with my mum please reply.. i feel like crying

[kaylie78696]

I am 13 years old! PLEASE READ VERY IMPORTANT! and basically my dad has two wifes! and he takes turn in sleeping one day with us and the other day with his other family which for me are my real family... i thought this would be a great thing to post because i wanna let out all my emotcions, i am eally scared to sleepp alone.. but my mum and dad had gone out of town somday! and i satyed with my elder brther and his wife and i slept alone.. but still whn my parent came back i just felt blanc... whne my dad isnt with us i sleep with my mum in her room and that makes me feell safe... i feell like i am protected by my mum when i sleep with her i feel that i know there is someone who is there for me, whne my dad comes home after one day he sees how stressfull i am and without anything syaing he goes sleep with my elder brother who is 20.. they both enjoy eah others presence and play around and have fun... and my brothers talks and sleeps with my dad and them two always have fun in the room talking about my brothers job... and i sleep with my mum.. i feel so sadd whne i see my mum and dad separate from each other i just feel like to kill myslef!!!! i am soo sad! and very misrable! =( i just need some helppp to sleep alone! what should i do.. my family are trying to help me sleep! but i am tensed in school i am not able to really concentarte with all these things in my mind, and sometimes i feel whne my dad is in the other home my mum is sleeping alone so i join her all the tiem!!! i think i might have a poblem or something but i can try to sleep but i really would love to sleep with my mum please reply.. i feel like crying