Nightmares and struggling to get to bed without crying

[Lj87]

Hi I have two girls that share a bedroom aged 4 and 2 my eldest has bad nightmares/dreams she wakes up crying comes in my bed with me and hubby and ends up staying in all night as won’t go back in her bed as she’s scared. She has a little nightlight and have the lamp on in the hall way but still. She’s now starting to get so upset at bedtime that’s she’s making my 2 year old upset too. I’m struggling to know what to do for the best. It took four stories and been over an hour later for bed time to get her settle. When she wakes crying she says she just loves me and misses me. Then I ask if she’s had a bad dream to which then she’ll say the monster is getting her and taking her away. Before bed she was saying the monster is going to take our roof off. I don’t know where it’s coming from as we don’t but anything scary on etc but she has a fabulous imagination. She knows mummy will rugby tackle any monster etc but still doesn’t seem right in herself.

I’m sorry for the long post xx

[Octoberbaby2019]

I'm not really sure what to advise as my one is just getting to two and not gotten to the nightmare stage. Nightlight is good but seems odd she's so scared. Is she not calm that her sister is there with her? Maybe you could give the HV a ring and just ask for advice as they've probably seen it all before? Really feel for you, it's not nice having your little one upset, plus must be terrible sleep all round for you all. Hope she gets better soon, good luck x

[Lj87 in reply to Octoberbaby2019]

Thank you for getting back to me I’m not sure either every night we have to read at least two stories now and I asked to bring the one she wanted from downstairs up and had to go with daddy as she was scared. I’m going to call HV tomorrow and see what they can suggest too xx

[Bigblueskies]

Oh it’s so upsetting when they are so distressed! We are just entering this stage with our daughter, she’s just about to turn two and she occasionally wakes up terrified and won’t go back to sleep easily. Bedtimes have always taken several stories and at least 1h for us so nothing new there!

I am told this is a completely normal phase they go through as their brains grow and they start to process bigger feelings. I have friends who have gone through this with every one of their children. Letting her know you are there and she can come to your bed and sleep with you when she needs it sounds like the reassurance she needs. It’s a hard stage!