Hello everyone! My daughter (6) used to be a fantastic sleeper. However, in January she broke her ankle and this led to her waking some throughout the night. This was fine because she fell back asleep quickly but over the last few weeks this has turned into her staying awake once she wakes up. When I ask why she can’t sleep she just says that her room is spooky. I know it’s perfectly normal for kids her age to be scared of the dark. I’m adamant that we are not going to start staying with her until she’s asleep as I don’t want to create a bad habit. Last night, for instance, she was awake from 1:30-3 AM and only fell asleep when I threatened to not let her play her Switch today but I don’t want to do this and put more pressure on her and add to her anxiety. Any suggestions on how I can help her sleep through the night?

Helping your daughter overcome her fear of the dark is a great first step in getting her back to a regular sleeping schedule. Here are a few suggestions to help her feel more comfortable in her bedroom:

• Place a night light in her room. This can help her feel less scared of the dark and provide her with some light.
• Talk to her about her fear and ask her to explain in more detail what is making her scared. This can help you understand what she is going through and how to better address the issue.
• Encourage her to create a “safe spot” in her room. This can be a corner or a special chair where she can go to feel safe and secure.
• Play music or read stories together before bedtime. This can help her relax and feel more comfortable as she falls asleep.
• Reward her for sleeping through the night. This can provide positive reinforcement and show her that good things come from getting a good night’s sleep.

These are just a few ideas to help your daughter overcome her fear and get back to sleeping through the night. Try out a few different strategies and see what works best for both of you.