My 6 year old wakes up every night. Sometimes he’s scared, other times he just wants me to stay with him until he falls back asleep. I try to help, but we both end up exhausted. Is this just a phase, or could it be something more? What can I do to help us all get better rest?
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Ugh we’ve been dealing with the same thing. It feels like it’s never ending, especially when you’re trying to stay sane during the day.
I know it feels tough, but it can totally be a phase. I was in your shoes last year, and it’s much better now. Stick with the bedtime routine, and it’ll pass. My kid eventually stopped needing me in the middle of the night. Hang in there! It’ll get better. 
This sounds exactly like what we went through! My son would wake up crying, scared, or just wanting attention. After trying everything from letting him sleep in our bed to buying special stuffed animals, we found something that helped: a consistent bedtime routine. We started giving him time to wind down, no screens, just calm activities like reading or gentle music. The biggest change was me staying consistent with how I responded when he woke up, if I stayed too long or made a big fuss, it would make things worse. I’d reassure him briefly and then leave, even if he cried a little. Eventually, he learned to self-soothe, and now it’s much better. It can take some time, but your child will likely start to get more comfortable with the idea of sleeping alone. It worked wonders for us!
It’s wild how often they wake up, isn’t it? I’m trying everything, nightlights, extra hugs, calming stories, but some nights it still doesn’t work. Does anyone have advice for a kid who refuses to fall asleep without you beside them?
Omg I feel like I live in a haunted house with all the nightly visits! I swear I could set a timer for when my kid pops up, it’s like clockwork lol. I finally started giving them a nightlight to help ease the fear, but it still takes a solid 2 hours of me laying there before they actually fall asleep.
I went through this too when my kid was 6, and honestly, it is a phase. Looking back, I think it was a mix of needing comfort and just adjusting to changes in their body as they grow. My son still wakes up now at 10, but at least it’s once or twice a week. What worked for us was setting clear expectations for bedtime (like, we always read together but no more talking once I leave the room). Also, don’t feel guilty about needing your own sleep! A calm bedtime routine was key.
I’ve heard that night wakings are super common at this age! My son went through something similar around 5,6 years old. What worked for us was setting up a calming bedtime routine that didn’t change. We also tried not making a big deal out of waking up in the night. I’d go in, stay calm, and tell him he was safe, but then leave after a couple minutes. It was rough at first but eventually, he got the hang of it. Hope it helps!
I had a similar problem with my 5 year old. We tried using a rewards system where every time he stayed in bed all night, he’d earn a star on the chart. After a few weeks, he got really motivated, and the waking up decreased. It might take time but keep at it!