I'm really hoping you guys can help, and maybe give me some links and information.
My friend has a *almost* three year old (as in only a couple of weeks off three) who seems to be having some severe anxiety with bedtime.
Her DD gave up naps at around 18 months, but bedtime was never an issue until a couple of months ago, and it has become progressively worse. They have a routine of stories, a cuddle and then either her or her DH will sit in the room with DD until she goes to sleep. The problem is she won't go to sleep anymore. There is apparently alot of screaming and crying (from both sides I think!). They really have tried everything I think and nothing seems to make any difference.
Well, my friend just mentioned that DD has been biting her nails and at bedtime will go crazy with the nail biting (and as a nail biter myself I know that when I'm feeling stressed or nervous I can't keep my fingers out of my mouth!). She also apparently told her the other day that 'I wish I could go to sleep but I can't', as in she really wants to just lay down and go to sleep but isn't able to.
I think that the whole bedtime thing is just getting too much for her and if now causing her severe anxiety (about it) and she is having trouble relaxing. I guess what I'm wanting is ideas on how to help a toddler relax and unwind as well as coping strategies for the anxiety she's feeling.
FTR, my friend suffers sever anxiety and suffers from PND. She feels the need to control everything to keep her anxiety in check, and I can imagine that bedtime is now causing my friend to get anxious in advance with I think her DD might also be feeding off.
Sorry that this has gotten so long. Please give me any ideas you have - my friend is really at her wits end and I think everyone needs some help.
ETA: Just wanted to add that my friend is a SAHM and her DD shadows her constantly. She is constantly needing her attention and seems to be unable / unwilling to play by herself for even a few minutes. It is the way my DS1 was when he was around 18 months old? Following me around while I got on with my day - which I think is a fairly common occurance at the age, but is it so much at 3yo?
ETAA: I have no idea with this have any relevance, but her DD is very strong willed and is capable of throwing some very impressive tantrums.
My friend has a *almost* three year old (as in only a couple of weeks off three) who seems to be having some severe anxiety with bedtime.
Her DD gave up naps at around 18 months, but bedtime was never an issue until a couple of months ago, and it has become progressively worse. They have a routine of stories, a cuddle and then either her or her DH will sit in the room with DD until she goes to sleep. The problem is she won't go to sleep anymore. There is apparently alot of screaming and crying (from both sides I think!). They really have tried everything I think and nothing seems to make any difference.
Well, my friend just mentioned that DD has been biting her nails and at bedtime will go crazy with the nail biting (and as a nail biter myself I know that when I'm feeling stressed or nervous I can't keep my fingers out of my mouth!). She also apparently told her the other day that 'I wish I could go to sleep but I can't', as in she really wants to just lay down and go to sleep but isn't able to.
I think that the whole bedtime thing is just getting too much for her and if now causing her severe anxiety (about it) and she is having trouble relaxing. I guess what I'm wanting is ideas on how to help a toddler relax and unwind as well as coping strategies for the anxiety she's feeling.
FTR, my friend suffers sever anxiety and suffers from PND. She feels the need to control everything to keep her anxiety in check, and I can imagine that bedtime is now causing my friend to get anxious in advance with I think her DD might also be feeding off.
Sorry that this has gotten so long. Please give me any ideas you have - my friend is really at her wits end and I think everyone needs some help.
ETA: Just wanted to add that my friend is a SAHM and her DD shadows her constantly. She is constantly needing her attention and seems to be unable / unwilling to play by herself for even a few minutes. It is the way my DS1 was when he was around 18 months old? Following me around while I got on with my day - which I think is a fairly common occurance at the age, but is it so much at 3yo?
ETAA: I have no idea with this have any relevance, but her DD is very strong willed and is capable of throwing some very impressive tantrums.
