Nightmares

Here are things that have worked in the past or that we already do as routine:

– Calm bedtime routine

– Special cuddle toys in bed

– low light in bedroom at night

– He has a dream catcher**

In this case, I asked him today to draw a picture of his nightmare – and give it a funny ending. Did you know that there is a real magic spell in those Harry Potter books? “Riddikulus” really does work. That is, having a child create a way to make something frightening turn funny can really help with the fear.

I was doing some work and he brought in his picture: in the picture, he and his brother have locked up the scary ghosts in a cage. I asked him if he wanted to put the picture in the bin or the fireplace but he says no: he knows where they are now. And that seems to give him some sense of control.

Let’s see if it works.

I’ve written in depth about sleep, nightmares , and night terrors. Why? If you are at your wit’s end for any reason, that something is a problem. Probably no other topic – except breastfeeding – brings out the strong personal opinions, judgement, and mammy-shaming more in parent groups than how your child should sleep. One mother’s journey is not another mother’s journey. A mother who is struggling with problems that are leading to anxiety, depression or sleep deprivation/tiredness to the point she cannot physically or emotionally cope needs help, not judgement. Those are all those other factors, behind the closed doors, of relationship or financial stress, long working hours, family issues, other children with ongoing needs – these are all factors that mean that platitudes such as “the nights are long but the years are short” aren’t the enough for every mammy.

**If you have been following this Blog for last few years and remember the original homemade fiasco during Covid, you will be relieved to know that my absolutely-awful home made dream catcher for his brother was soon replaced by a proper one ordered online.