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Or actually lack of sleep!!!My five year old has always slept poorly and since school stopped has been back in my bed some nights with nightmares which means with my 1 year old still waking up I am really tired. I work (from home at the mo) and don't feel like I stop all day so need my sleep... Any suggestions? Thanks.
Oh my, that's tough. Having to deal with home working/schooling, dealing with little ones as well as keeping your home is tiring enough without having disturbed sleep! Is your 5 year old anxious at all, particularly with their own routine disturbed? Give them opportunity to talk about how they feel about all that is happening and spend some time acknowledging that their emotions are valid, but then talk through and reassure them. Perhaps it would be useful (if you haven't already) to have a really structured routine at night. Put in place all the things you can before bed eg no t.v. or screen an hour before bedtime, warm bath, hot chocolate, teeth and a gentle or fun story with no pictures that could trigger bad dreams and a cuddle as you settle them down. If they wake in the night, I know its easier to have them in bed, particularly when you're exhausted, but in the long term its better if you can go in, reassure and settle them in their own bed. Another idea is to have a plug in night light and a cd player with headphones with gentle music to listen to, to help them resettle. Hope this is useful - all the best!!
Lack of sleep is horrible, I totally know how that feels! I think at the moment with everything feeling upside down and so much uncertainty, we all need to give ourselves a break - I think it is definitely a good idea to stick to a routine - but I think at the moment you can make that what suits you all best - and maybe that involves having an afternoon nap/downtime. We are all better (and able to parent better) when we are not dog tired, so I prescribe you going back to bed for even 30 minutes to recharge your batteries. Jbobs ideas about routines, and managing the potential anxieties your 5 year old may be feeling are all definitely great advice - but be kind to yourself - it is like putting your oxygen mask on before you deal with anyone elses needs. xx
as well as the above (not instead of), you could try anti histamine syrup for children, and only for 3 days or so - the syrup will knock them out, the idea being just to establish a pattern of sleep so that they can then get to sleep without the syrup.
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