Won't sleep alone

[Aes11377]

I can't get my 7 year old son to sleep alone and he has been this way his entire life. Only a few times has he fallen asleep by himself and usually comes in our bed in the middle of the night. Any advice. He isn't on any medications for ADHD.

[Mmagusin]

It's part ritual part separation anxiety, my guess. I bring my son a cup of water every night when I tuck him in. He asks for it even though I know he's not thirsty. It's a harmless ritual I've been doing ever since he was very little. He's 10. Eventually I'll stop it or replace it with something else. In your case, it's getting very inconvenient & probably damaging his sleep. Try role playing a new ritual, like reading then putting a stuffed animal or special blanket with him. Night light might help if it's more fear than separation from you. My son has his security blanket that he snuggles when he's going to sleep. How can you find a replacement for you as the security blanket?

[Rch3 in reply to Mmagusin]

My son is 12, with ADHD, and until a few months ago I had to lay with him for 20-40 minutes every night for him to calm down enough to fall asleep. Then we got a cat for him. The cat sleeps in his room every night and he is responsible for her. This has changed our lives completely!!! He goes to bed by himself almost every night now. I still lay with him a few nights a week just so we can talk and snuggle. The other thing that helps a lot is getting enough excersize!!! He goes to bed much better when he goes to baseball or rides his bike that night!