My 12 year old son has just started high school. He has said he is lonely in his bedroom to the extent that he does not want to sleep in there. He has a night light and music on and soft toys in his bed. He is very sensitive. Does anyone have any calming ideas or other solutions to get him to sleep and not be anxious.
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Bedtime is the worst for anxiety sufferers. They overthink, especially when left alone in a quiet room, and they have trouble getting to sleep. They worry and being alone, they stress about all kinds of worries, real and imaginary.
Since he’s 12 could he turn off the tv and sit and read in a dim light for half an hour near where you are. Or listen to an audio book or anxious kids might prefer to have their minds and hands busy with Lego or clay. Do a bedtime checklist to make sure he’s ready for tomorrow, and ready for bed , so he can put all those worries aside and then do a relaxing activity of his choice. Then a warm drink and into bed a bit later and hopefully he’s straight off to sleep.
My son is exactly the same. He shares our room or sleeps in with me. Anything to comfort in and give his little mind a break. I’m also about to start him on medication to help him sleep.