5 yr old afraid to sleep w/ lamp off.
Ds#1 will be 6 in May. When he was a baby he slept with a nightlight in his room. When he was around 18 months he wanted his lamp to stay on when he went to bed. I can’t remember him actually being afraid but wanted it on. So we would leave it on and then after he was asleep we would go turn it off. Well when he was about 3 he woke up one morning MAD that his lamp had been turned off. He wanted it left on!! Well we tried to continue to turn it off after he would fall asleep, but he started waking in the middle of the night yelling about his lamp. Eventually we started leaving it on all night. Every couple of weeks we would put in a lower watt bulb until it finally has the smallest watt bulb we can find to buy. Well he will be 6 soon and still will not sleep with his lamp off. It doesn’t matter if there is a brighter night light or the hall light is on… I have run out of ideas. He has completely become afraid of the dark and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want him to be a 20 year old who has to sleep with a light on! Any suggestions?
Answers:
I wouldnt worry too much about this. My parents made me sleep in the dark when I was young and it backfired now as an adult sometimes I am scared of the dark. As long as it doesnt interfere with his sleep I would leave it on anf he'll probably grow out of it. I know adults who sleep with the tv or some kind of light on and its not really a big deal.
If it still bothers you maybe try switching to a smaller lamp that takes nightlight bulbs or buy a projector nightlight. Projector nightlights project spinning lighted images on the walls and most kids love them. You can find them online pretty easily.
Good luck..
Answers:
Hi,
You know I wouldn't even worry about that, When I was small I was so afraid of my room being dark and I alway's had to have my closet door closed. In time your child will out go it, at least he's sleeping during the night. If you don't want a lamp on, take him shopping and have him pick out a night light. Now I have a son who has to have his bedroom door wide open and we have to keep the bathroom light on, he has a hang up on that. I guess the dark is a big insecurity.
Karen W.
Answers:
Thanks jnutter and karen for the replies. Like you said at least he is sleeping. I have an 8 month old that doesn't!!
Answers:
I hear that! My 16 month old still wakes up every night! Im used to the sleep deprivation by now!
Answers:
I wouldnt worry too much about this. My parents made me sleep in the dark when I was young and it backfired now as an adult sometimes I am scared of the dark. As long as it doesnt interfere with his sleep I would leave it on anf he'll probably grow out of it. I know adults who sleep with the tv or some kind of light on and its not really a big deal.
If it still bothers you maybe try switching to a smaller lamp that takes nightlight bulbs or buy a projector nightlight. Projector nightlights project spinning lighted images on the walls and most kids love them. You can find them online pretty easily.
Good luck..
Answers:
Hi,
You know I wouldn't even worry about that, When I was small I was so afraid of my room being dark and I alway's had to have my closet door closed. In time your child will out go it, at least he's sleeping during the night. If you don't want a lamp on, take him shopping and have him pick out a night light. Now I have a son who has to have his bedroom door wide open and we have to keep the bathroom light on, he has a hang up on that. I guess the dark is a big insecurity.
Karen W.
Answers:
Thanks jnutter and karen for the replies. Like you said at least he is sleeping. I have an 8 month old that doesn't!!
Answers:
I hear that! My 16 month old still wakes up every night! Im used to the sleep deprivation by now!