Sleep issues relating to fear of death in children ????!
Question:
Sleep issues relating to fear of death in children ????
i know that most children come to the realization of death, or mortality. I have heard of children having trouble sleeping, fearing their parent will die, and going through almost a 'pre-teen seperation anxiety". Has anyone gone through this or have any suggestions to help get the child out of this?
Answers:
I had it when I was little, and again when I was a teenager after my father had a heart attack.
When I was small I couldn't sleep because I used to wonder where we go when we die-do we stop existing? I was pretty deep for a five year old. I even started sleepwalking and my folks had to put hook and eye locks at the top of all the doors because they found me outside a couple of times.
When I was older, I used to stand outside my parents' bedroom and listen to my father breathing. I would get up several times during the night (but not sleep at all) to check and re-check.
Both times my parents just talked to me and let me get all my fears out and made themselves available and eventually it stopped.