My five year old depends on me to sleep

My 5 year old son wont sleep on his own. He battles me with really high pitched screaming, running out of the room and banging on walls. Even when he sleeps with me it can take up to an hour before he gives in and settles. I know its my fault and i think ive learnt my lesson. Hes not always naughty infact  the only time he seriously misbehaves is at bed time. I feel like he just doesnt want to turn off. Its hard enough to get him to sleep let alone to sleep in his own room. What can i do?
Thanks in advance



This discussion is related to Re: 5 year old with sleep problem.

[mamabella]

I used to have the same problems with my 5 year old daughter.  We called it the "Bedtime Battle" and my husband and I both dreaded bed time.  Bed time would start out okay with our regular routine, but once i left her room she would throw a huge fit that consisted of yelling for me to come back to her room so she could "tell me something" (her excuse) and after the first 2 times I simply would not answer her which then threw her into screaming and crying fits so bad that I would have to go in her room to calm her down.  I talked to my doctor about the bedtime battle because I was losing sleep form the every night episodes, who suggested an all natural supplement called melatonin. I did my research on it first then decided to give it a try and it works great!  We rarely have and bedtime battles anymore, she goes to bed without a fuss and sleeps through the night!  Good luck to you and your bedtime battles.