Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems

by Richard Ferber

Although the ages from six to twelve are considered to be a period of relative psychological calm, children between the toddler years and adolescence face pressures in a number of areas: in school, on the sports field, at music class, in religious programs, at home, and even from their own thoughts. They struggle to make friendships and to find new role models apart from their parents; they are called upon to be increasingly independent and to become more sensitive to problems in the home; and they start to carve out their own identity.

Because the ability to control one’s thoughts and feelings diminishes as one gets sleepy, children often regress at night, and they begin to feel, and act, more childish.

Although certain anxieties are normal, or at least reflect internal struggles that are part of normal development, others are caused by external events. Any significant social stress over which the child has little control—illness; parental fighting, separation, or divorce; alcoholism or other substance abuse; death—can lead to a great deal of worry, guilt, anxiety, and fear at any age.