8 Year Old Has Trouble Falling And Staying Asleep

by Tina
(Texas)

My 8 year old daughter has had sleep issues for almost one year. We have always had a solid bedtime routine. She has always had a night light and soothing music, no electronics or TV before bed.

We take turns laying with her for books and prayers. She sleeps well if another adult is beside her all night. Otherwise she either falls asleep quickly and is up an hour later saying she can't sleep or it takes her up to 2 hours to fall asleep and she is up again several times a night.

We have approached it many different ways, sleep charts with incentives, nurturing, yelling, punishment, all ineffective. My husband and I are well aware that some of our approaches are completely ineffective, however, when we are tired and frustrated we just don't know what to do or say.

This problem occurred 9 months following the birth of our son, whom she adores. In the last few months her grandmother has been critically ill. There has been a great deal of tension and stress and we realize these are all contributing factors.

She has typical peer problems at school, so and so won't play with me, etc... We always listen to her concerns regarding things that happen at school.

She is very bright and appears to be happy most of the time. She takes swim lessons and piano and she appears to thoroughly enjoy these activities. She is doing very well academically (2nd grade). She has an excellent diet, no processed food, dyes, etc... She enjoys sweets but certainly does not eat them daily.

I am finding myself becoming very resentful and am not always pleasant in the morning as we are getting ready for our day. I just scheduled an appointment with a local counseling service, hopefully we can get the help we need.

We love our little girl so much and we want to help her!

Thank you