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My Eight Year Old Daughter Still Fears Falling Asleep On Her Own

by Adine
(New Jersey)

This is our only child. I rocked her until she was almost four years old to sleep. She never really learned how to soothe herself. She still fears falling asleep on her own. She wants me to lay down with her.


At times I do, other times I feel upset because I don't really want to. I work full time and would like to have the evening to clean and have some me time. There have been times when I have fallen asleep with her, to find her on my side of the bed, clinging to me.

I have also witnessed her acting out the day's fears by throwing pillows violently, screaming, yelling, and crying.

She also says things from time to time that go in and out of making sense. When I tell her what she said the next day, she tells me what her dream was about and often time it correlates with what she said during the night.

She often comes to my bed at night, because she says that she had nightmares. At school she tells me that she is being bullied by other kids. She is very hypersensitive and does not have "thick skin." I worry for her because she is an anxious child and has very little tolerance. Do you have any suggestions at this point?

Thank you.

Comments for My Eight Year Old Daughter Still Fears Falling Asleep On Her Own

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Aug 26, 2014
 samehere NEW
by: Anonymous

My 9yr old is doing the same stessing me and my husband out. Im beginning to feel its behavior issue more then anything.
May 07, 2015
 My 8 year old daughter NEW
by: Anonymous

Hi my daughter is 8 years old and hates it when it gets dark. The bottom line for her is that she is very fearful. She is a very intense and anxious child. Her one younger sister, 6 years old , is totally the opposit. I think you must trust your daughter that it is the fears and school bullies that are the problem. Talk to the teachers. I feel schools and teachers do not help our sensitive children enough with these issues. School should be a joy not a horror! Maybe she can do some house chores with you and then you can sleep in a separate bed in the same room as her. I hope my daughter grows out of it soon. We are Christian so I was advised to explain to my daughter that God created the dark and that he can see her even if she can't see him. She needs to put her trust in Him. Loads more I could say. It is not easy

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