Before bedtime each night my then three-year-old son, Tristan had a ritual. He would remove a pile of soft toys from his bed that apparently have ‘scary eyes’. This boy had woken up crying before because he was sure the cuddly bear was watching him sleep. He even used to cover all other soft toy animals with blankets to keep them ‘safe’. As adorable as that can be, I’ve often wondered if there was anything I could do to help.

Children have very vivid imaginations. When the lights go out, everything looks different. As we grow we learn that the things are exactly the same in the dark as they are in the light but for little ones, this is a challenge. They spend a good deal of their day imagining up all sorts of fantastic ideas and this doesn’t
stop simply because it’s bedtime. They also feel less secure because mum or dad is no longer nearby and can feel very alone in their darkened bedroom.

No matter what you do your child will be faced with stories of the boogieman or they may hear that something is lurking under their bed at night. I spent most of my childhood with my feet tucked up as far as I could get them
because I was sure something was going to reach up and grab me. If they don’t see this on television they will hear the stories from their peers in preschool or primary school. Unfortunately for hubby and I, we have not been successful in getting Tristan moved into his own room! [Sigh…] What can I say, he has us both wound tightly round his little finger.

We’ve tried everything…warm bath before bedtime, soothing music, keeping a night light on and reading him to sleep. Nothing seems to work! So, instead of fretting, we have decided to enjoy this time together as much as possible as all too soon, cuddling with mummy and daddy may be seen as ‘uncool’.

Till the next time