Nightmares

Kiira has been having nightmares. It's always the same thing. A coyote eating a lamb. She says she saw it on a video at school in the library (a substitute day). No matter, she would have found something else to have a nightmare about if it weren't that. Several people have said their 5, almost 6 yr olds have been going through the same thing. It is said to be one of those developmental stages. I'd like to take it in stride but I know she'd get more sleep if she'd stay in her own bed.

The poor thing is literally scared to sleep in her bed. We have a "nest" set up in our room. This translates to a small tent that has a bunch of blankets etc in it. This is her second choice place to sleep. She requests our bed every night but I just can't do it. She's very snuggly and all and we have reached a nice understanding in that she doesn't try and make the letter "H" between Alan and I anymore and we'll give her the occasional mommy/daddy bed night.

We've tried sprinkling the fairy dust, we've tried leaving the door open, the nightlight, the singing, the books, the checking in on her often and even the stay with her in her room until she falls asleep (which does work but is quite time consuming....) tricks. Sooooo.....if anyone else has any tricks up their sleeves, please, feel free to pass them on.

Oh, and how does this tie into this photo you ask? Well, when we are in her room and she is trying to get to sleep, she often says this bad dream is on her mind. So, I try to make her laugh and forget about it. This is my funny face that she is doing.