Need help helping my 8 yo falling asleep

[redbear]

My 8 yo ds is having trouble falling asleep. I would lay with him until he fell alseep until about a yr ago when we decided that I really needed some "me" time and also time with my dh (we homeschool, so we are together 24-7). Sometimes it would take him 2-3 hrs. to fall asleep. Usually we play a board game, (my ds, dh and myself), then I read to him and sometimes I will lay with him for 10-15 min before I leave. He is still awake when I go out of his room and usually he goes to sleep alone fine (within 20-30 mins) But lately the last few nights he tosses and tumbles for 2,3 sometimes 4 hrs. Nothing has changed in his life, I don't know why this is happening. He asks me what he can do to go to sleep. I have told him to image himself doing something he loves, or something he wants to do, think of postive things, even count sheep. Does anyone have any suggestions of how to help him fall asleep?

[abi&ben'smom]

At that age, my ds suddenly didn't seem to need as much sleep as he used to. He could read in his bed until 10pm, and still get up on his own at 7am. Or wearing mine out with some kind of physical activity always helps them go to sleep fast!

[LynnS6]

What time does he go to bed? Get up?

Our 8 year old goes to bed at 9:15 or so, reads for anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and is usually asleep by 10. He gets up a 7. From what I read, 8 year olds 'should' get more sleep than this. But he does not need it. So, if you want your son to go to bed earlier, you might try getting him up earlier. I notice a definite difference in when ds goes to sleep. Today he got up at 8, and he didn't go to sleep until 10.

You might also think about letting him listen to music (it's what our dd does).

The rule in our house is that if you're tried to fall asleep for about an hour and can't, you can get up again for 20 minutes or so and then try again. The deal is that mom and dad are going to be doing our thing, so it's going to be pretty boring. About once a month ds does this.

Finally, in cases where it's causing distress, we sometimes give ds melatonin to help him fall asleep.

[fritz]

Teach him some relaxation techniques: focus on his body, starting with his face, relax one group of muscles at a time, until he works his way down to his toes. He might need to do this a few times in a row.

Also, reevaluate his sleeping space. Is it dark enough? Our nightlights are super bright, so if he needs/wants a lightsource, maybe switch to a dimmer one. Is a lot of light coming in the windows? (traffic, street light, moonlight) Try some blackout drapes. Maybe a humidifier or fan running in the room would provide enough white noise to help him fall asleep. Is his blanket warm enough? Maybe add a second one to the foot of his bed in case he needs it. Get him a body pillow so he has something to curl up next to when you're not there?

[redbear]

Thanks for the input. Last night we draped blankets around his bed to make a tent and he read with a flashlight for about 30 min. and then went to sleep. It was much more peaceful. We are trying the same tonight. Crossing my fingers this will help. We will also try the relaxation techniques. I think I will try it too!!

[columbusmomma]

Sometimes a really good rubdown/massage works for my DS if he's having trouble falling asleep. Head to toe for about 15 min.(or more)
I know some people have good results using melatonin.
I love the tent and reading idea! So glad it is helping