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4-yr. old refuses to sleep unless adult lays with him--screams, tantrums


Posted by Rita on February 14, 2000 at 21:56:27:

My 4-year old son will not go to sleep at night unless me or his dad lays down next to him. He has not slept in his room since October - he started coming in our bed in the middle of the night, and eventually started out and ended up there. It was tolerable until he even refused to sleep in our bed, unless we went to bed with him! This has driven me and my husband up a wall, because every single night, there are tantrums, screaming, begging for us to lay down with him (this means we STAY in bed with him till he falls asleep--which takes about 2 hours). We have tried: monster spray (he's afraid of something in his room, but will not say what; and he's afraid of being by himself in ANY room), spankings (I know, I know, but we were desperate), rewards if he stays in his room, removing privileges if he doesn't. The problem is that now, he will NOT shut his eyes (or even rest and look at books quietly), but screams and runs up and down the hall slamming doors (waking up his sister), until me or his dad goes to bed, and then he lays next to us, exhausted, and falls asleep. I have sent him to his room over and over and over - he immediately comes out (I've even reversed the lock on his door - he screams and bangs, and broke the doorknob). Please help - our whole family is about to have a nervous breakdown! We have the bedtime routine - bath, rocking, stories, no matter what - he will NOT sleep in his room, and now will NOT sleep anywhere (even floor, sleeping bag), unless mom and dad lay next to him till he falls asleep.

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Archived Children's Sleep Forum1 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Children's Sleep Forum Homepage.
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