Every night, when I turn out the lights, I put him to bed hoping that peace will embrace him, but his nightmares shake him from a sleep that was once peaceful. I’ve seen him wake up in the middle of the night, with tears in his eyes and a fear that paralyzes him, and my heart shrinks when I can’t calm the terror that invades him.
I remember with nostalgia those nights when his laughter filled the room and he slept peacefully, without shadows or fears. Now, the stories I read to him don’t seem to be enough to dispel the fears that creep into his dreams. I tried to create a special routine: a warm bath, soft talk, and dim lights that invite rest. However, his nightmares persist, leaving him restless and me uncertain if I should do something else
Aw, Juliana, this breaks my heart. 
It’s so tough when our kids are scared and we just want to protect them. I’ve been there, nightmares were such a struggle for my son when he was around the same age. We ended up making a “dream catcher” together, just a little DIY project. It was silly, but it seemed to help a little. Might be worth a try, or maybe even some sort of ritual that makes him feel safe? I know it’s not a one-size-fits-all, but sending you hugs. 
my daughter had the same thing around that age. She’d wake up in the middle of the night sobbing and terrified. We tried everything, reading, soothing, dim lights, but nothing seemed to really work. One thing that helped a bit was giving her a comfort item, like a stuffed animal she could hold while falling asleep. Something about the texture of it calmed her down, and after a few weeks, it seemed to get a little better. Not perfect, but a step toward peace. 
You’re not alone in this struggle
I totally hear you, Juliana. Nightmares can be so scary for both you and your little one. One thing that worked for us was a combination of consistency and reassurance. We made a “nighttime routine” that involved us talking about the day, what they loved, and then “chasing away the monsters” together. It was a fun and empowering routine that put them at ease. We’d even “banish the bad dreams” with positive affirmations. It took time, but I think it helped, especially when they learned that they had control over their dreams, like they could call on a “superhero” if needed. Try to stick with a calming, positive routine and try not to stress too much, it’ll pass. 
I’m in the same boat! My daughter has been having nightmares for months, and it’s been soooo tough. I’ve tried all the things too, calming oils, soft music, warm baths, but she still wakes up in tears. I keep wondering if there’s something I’m missing, or if this is just something kids go through? Do you think it might be something she’s seeing or hearing during the day that triggers it? Or do they just have an overactive imagination? I don’t know what else to try. 
Anyone else having this problem?
Oh, I’m so sorry you’re going through this, Juliana! I had a similar situation with my son when he was around 5 too. We went through months of nightmares, and it was heartbreaking. One thing that helped us was introducing “dreamtime stories.” These are stories specifically made for soothing and ending on a peaceful note, almost like guided meditations. I also talked with my son about his dreams, he started to tell me what scared him, and we used positive storytelling to reframe the fear. I told him that he was strong and could fight off any “bad dreams” with his imagination. Sounds cheesy, but it gave him a sense of control over his own fears.
Also, we had a nightlight with a soft glow and kept the door open so he wouldn’t feel so isolated when he woke up. And I made sure to be extra patient, sometimes just holding him and whispering how safe he was until he fell back asleep. It didn’t solve everything overnight, but it was a gradual improvement. Hang in there, mama. It’s tough, but I promise it gets better. Keep trying things, something will work!
I’m rooting for you, Juliana! 
I went through the same with my son when he was 5. We eventually saw a big improvement by incorporating some breathing exercises before bed, just simple deep breaths with him to calm his mind. I know it might sound too simple, but I was shocked at how well it worked for him! Nightmares didn’t stop completely, but his ability to handle them improved. It’s a phase, and even though it’s hard, keep up with your calm routine. You’re doing everything right. It will pass!
Nightmares? Girl, we’re still going through this with my 8 year old. 
My kid literally begged me for a “monster spray” (just water with a few drops of lavender) to “keep the monsters away.” I felt like I was losing my mind! 
But you know what? It actually worked… kind of. The key here? Whatever works for them, even if it’s just in their heads. I mean, whatever brings peace, right? You’ve got this, mama! Keep up the good work
Hey Juliana, I went through this exact thing with my son when he was around 5 too. Now he’s a little older, and I can tell you that it does get better with time, though it can feel endless in the moment. I remember feeling like I was running out of options, but the best thing we did was introduce a comfort routine that centered around security, he had a “dream buddy” (stuffed animal) and a nightlight that was part of a calming bedtime ritual. We also leaned into affirmations, where we told him how strong and brave he was before bed, which seemed to help. Also, some kids go through nightmares due to stress or even dietary changes (too much sugar or caffeine too late in the day). So, you might want to look at that side of things. The more you can keep the environment calm and predictable, the better. The nightmares eventually faded, but it did take time. Just hang in there, you’re doing great! Keep consistent with the soothing routine, and soon it’ll start to shift. 