My 10 yr old has extreme feelings of dread at bedtime.

My 10 yr old son had begun to have extreme feelings of dread each bedtime.  He is comfortable sleeping alone in his room, but he has uncontrollable feelings that "something bad is going to happen."  He knows this isn't realistic and that he has these feelings almost every night and nothing has happened.  We have tried relaxation and soothing music as part of the bedtime ritual, but nothing has made a difference.  He is not afraid to fall asleep and does not have nightmares.  He just asks for extra hugs, "just in case."  This has been going on for about 6 weeks now.  He is extremely verbal, but can't articulate anything specific that he thinks might happen.  Is this normal?  What else should we try?

[blondie72]

This sounds VERY normal - I have a daughter who will be 9 in a couple months and anytime there is a storm she thinks a tornado will come (I have NEVER seen a tornado in my 34 yrs here) and since she is upstairs she gets terrified of this sometimes.    Just keep doing what you are doing with him and NEVER make him feel like these fears are silly.  Just keep reassuring him but do NOT lie to him.   What I mean is - If something that he is afraid of IS possible do NOT tell him it WON'T happen just tell him it is likely it will NOT.   I suggest the extra hugs every night and even stay with him and say a prayer with him.  I wish you lots of luck.  

[tmv]

You are doing the right thing having him verbalize his fears. It will help you both get to the bottom of it soon. It is probably just another one of the many phases that they go through in their development. Has any major events happened to him lately?