May son, 7, has ADHD, Turretes, and some Sensory Issues. It has become apparent recently that he is extremely afraid of the dark. He will refuse to walk down the hallway unless every light is on, he will actually wait until I am not busy. I have to leave his door open until he falls asleep so that the hallway light is reflected in his room. He pulls the covers up completely over his head when he sleeps. I have tried night lights etc. Now my electricity bill is through the roof. Help!
I want to thank everyone for their input. We tried a rechargeable LED light, and he will not use it. So I am back to square one. Thanks again.
Put a table and lamp by his bed and use energy saving lightbulbs. In addition to that I second the idea of a child friendly flashlight/lantern.
My child is not ADHD and she had these issues. Among some other fears of things and I just took her to a social worker to help guide us to a more fit routine in how she handles fear. It helped me help her. And she did awesome. Would you be open to doing that ? I think maybe he would grow out of it, that is what our counslor said...but that maybe two years. It is really in his head and it is for comfort that he wants things. I know this lady suggested to go with the routine and then after she fell asleep, turn off all the lights except one and praise him how he got through the night without a light. I can help you with some really good tips and things the counslor said to do privately if you want to move forward on this kind of solution. Good luck.
Have you tried giving him his own flashlight? Get the kind that don't need batteries - you shake 'em or crank 'em. He can keep it on as long as he needs it.
YMMV
LBC
Most kids go through phases just like this- regardless of his other issues, this is normal. I second the suggestion to get him his own flashlight (or a few) that he can carry around. Also, we found a bedside lamp with a separate globe on the bottom that also has a light in it-- so it's a regular light, but can be turned "down" to a nightlight glow. Leaving it on all night may be just what has to happen for a while.
We used a nightlight in the hallway, bathroom and living room- a small C4 or similar bulb doesn't used much energy, and is well worth it for his peace of mind.
Keep reminding him that this is NORMAL, and that HE WILL OUTGROW IT. Kids often worry that they will always have to deal with these fears, and it can add to the problem if they are stressed about it, or feeling pressured to overcome the fear before they are capable of doing so. Instead, make sure he knows this will go away on it's own, once he's matured more, and his only job is to not worry about it- and that lots of grown ups still like to carry a flashlight or have a nightlight on. Then let it go for a while. :-)
ps- After going through this with each of them, none of my 3 kids sleeps with a nightlight or has to have a flashlight with them anymore. It WILL go away.
I doubt that leaving a small bedside lamp on all night is using that much electricity. leave the lamp on all night if that's what makes him most comfortable!
Rather than a regular night light, maybe try what we use. it is an Owl nightlight that is rechargable and he can take it to bed with him (they also have 2 dinosaur designs). It has 4 different colors that he can control, and either a 30 minute timer so it goes off when he falls asleep, or you can set it to stay on all night (the charge is easily enough for it to stay on). It is bright enough he could look at books with it at night, which is what my daughter does. you can find it on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_9?url=search-ali...
They also sell similar ones at IKEA in the kids section, but I don't believe they have changing light colors or a timer.
We bought LED flashlights. They are extremely bright, last a long time, and are lots of fun for the kids. If your son's fear is extreme, he might need a larger one so it lights more of the area. If you give him one with an automatic off timer then he can keep it with him, turn it on whenever he pleases, and it will turn off after he falls asleep.
Just let him have his comfort with the light on. Its a phase that will pass.
Take him to a very well qualified acupunturist to balance his meridians. If he won't have the needles find someone who does cranial work and do not let him off the table while it is being done. He will need at least 10 sessions. The treatments will help with ADHD and the sensory issues. Also take all sugar out of the house. If he eats nothing with sugar his nerves will calm down. IT IS A LIFETIME DIET.
Maybe try giving him a cool flashlight that he can use as needed.
My son has a Scooby Doo battery lantern that he's loved for years. He'll always have it near him if there's a storm or threat of a power outage. There are some really bright glow sticks out there too, and some of them will last 8 hours or more.
Have you tried the cuddle light doll thingys? They're soft enough for kids to hold them in bed, but dim enough to let them sleep. I think I saw them at Target and Ikea.
Tracy P has the link, but those are awesome! I haven't seen them with the timer before, but if we were having issues, that's exactly what I would look for.
For his room get a twilight turtle they stay on projecting stars on ceiling for 45 minutes and make whole room stay softly li without casting any scary shadows. If u r son is still awake it wakes in the night he can just turn turtle on again
For the hall get him a flashlight. Good luck.
The Home Depot has night lights that only cost $3 cents per year to run. We have them in the kids room and in the hall way and always leave them plugged in (there is no turning them on or off). I think we paid $7 for a pack of 2. Very worth it.
I know you didn't ask for it, but I think he would benefit greatly from seeing Dr. Chapman at http://www.chapmannd.org/ she does mostly autism disorders, etc & has had amazing success. Good luck!
