Early waking

[molivy]

My son is 6. He has always woken early, It’s creeping earlier and earlier until we are now at 4.15-4.30am wake ups.

We use a gro clock which enforces him staying in bed until 6am and we use a black out blind but he still does something to wake me every 10 minutes or so from 4.30 til 6 (eg knocking on my door until I answer) I’m persistent in sending him back to his room and have stuck to this always. I tell him if he can’t sleep he’s allowed to turn his light on to read a book or play with quiet toys so long as he doesn’t disturb me.. but he never does this he just pesters me constantly.

I suffer anxiety and ptsd, my tolerance is shrinking so much from not having enough rest. I’m not coping well at all and I know that this is the reason - I’m exhausted. I’ve tried going to bed earlier myself but I can’t sleep and putting him to bed later makes no difference except him being more sleep deprived and making the day even harder 😭 I don’t know what to do.

[asmckay]

If your son is sensitive both the light from the clock and the electrical fleld will be disturbing him, Unplug everything electric in his room other than lamps. If you want to continue with the light, plug it is as far away as possible, and see if that works, Switch off your router, so that at least it is off when you go to bed. Cut out sugar and reduce carbs in the evening - increase vegetables and good fat (Avocado, nuts, seeds, unheated oils). sugar is really bad for sleep, and if he is sensitive, it will be making it more difficult. Devices that are battery powered are OK as long as on airplane mode. Try giving him a long epsom salt bath - ideally, 40 mins, but 20 mins is still good. 2 cups of epsom salts. If that helps him, you will know that low magnesium is part of the problem. Many of us are low in magnesium, and it affects our sleep. Finally, as much time outside as possible, especially in the morning..You might like the Epsom salts baths too. I but it by the sack - then it is cheap.. Good Luck