Thursday, August 7, 2008

Something New

For the last few weeks, Phoenix has developed this "scared" thing. It's something new, completely out of the blue. When it's time for bed, whether it's naptime or bedtime, he freaks out now when you put him in the crib. You mention nap or bedtime and he freaks. "Scared, scared." Before this, he was so easy to put to bed. Maybe too easy.

Once you get him in the crib, he screams and screams. Then screams some more. We have no clue what he's scared of. He's not showing any signs of seperation anxiety during the day, so I'm not sold that that could be what this possibly is. The kids have a lamp on in their room at bedtime, and we turn it off after they are asleep when we got to bed. And once that's off, the nighlight (adjustable) is on full-blast.

So, my fellow moms. What the hell do we do? Is this just a phase? I'm at a loss.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

At least he can articulate that he's scared, so that's something. We've just entered the night terrors stage with Cenzo where he wakes up screaming for no apparent reason. Could Phoenix be experiencing something similar, only he's old enough to remember the bad dreams and that makes him scared to go to sleep? Is it something he's picking up from big sister? I'm not saying she's intentionally scaring him, but maybe she's expressed some fears and he's imitating her? Regarding a solution, maybe a new lovey to help ease the transition into bed? Good luck! I feel for you!

Anonymous said...

Oooh, maybe "he sees dead people"! ;)

We went thru that, G wanted to sleep with us in our room. We did let him, but he slept in a sleeping bag on the floor. Then, after a few nights we started putting him back in his own bed again, and it wasn't a big deal. I really don't know why, but it just worked to give in for a few nights. I think it really helped that he did get his way, but not completely since we wouldn't let him in our bed with us (he kicks a lot & is a bedhog).

Aunt Becky said...

Alex has night terrors and will then refuse his crib for awhile. It's hard and I don't have any good suggestions.

~Denise~ said...

Dude, what if he REALLY see's dead people? OMG. That would totally fit into our life right now.

Becky, I thought night terrors at first, but he's never asleep when this happens. We're wondering if he had (or is having) nightmares and is remembering them?

I don't know. Ugh.

Lori said...

When I read it I wondered if he maybe had a bad dream and he is associating that with going to sleep and that's the problem. ((((hugs)))) Wish I had some magic answer...it's just no fun sometimes. Hope that whatever it is passes soon girl.

Christie O. said...

hmmm. poor guy! i wonder what it could be! mine's been tough to deal with at bed or naptime but i think it's the normal "no!" type of thing. which is fun in and of itself. i wish i could help!