scared of the dark

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We were playing under the covers this morning, and I mentioned that I used to sleep that way because I was scared. My son admitted that that's why he sleeps under the covers, too. Not of anything specific, just the weird way things look in the dark. He was embarrassed about still being scared even though he's a "big kid."

I suggested a nightlight, or keeping his door open, but he says he can't sleep well with light and noise. He says he's comfortable sleeping under the covers and doesn't feel the need for another solution.

But it's boiling hot. He insists on jersey sheets. We have a fan for him, but he still sweats up a storm. Also, I hate the idea of him lying there scared. But maybe that's a problem without a solution.

I kind of think your last line is it, "a problem without a solution." He's comfortable, he's solved it, he's not going to experiment further. If HE feels he's too hot he may move beyond the box but, for now, he won't. Within that small space a child can feel very protected, apparently.

Is he willing to sleep under JUST the jersey sheets? That is what my daughter does; no blankets or comforter. My AS son, however, sleeps year round with exactly the same comforter and no sheets at all ... they both are content, they both are sleeping, so I just leave it.

I can't sleep if any limbs aren't beneath the covers (or the sheet at least), and my ears have to be covered or bugs might crawl in!

Maybe just wash his bedclothes in hot water more often in warm weather, and don't make the bed if it's damp with sweat.

If he's managing his fears, don't interfere in the situation--you'll only make it worse.

I dont think I have ever met someone who as a kid was not scared of the dark. I dont remember who said it but "Fear is what keeps us a live and " fear of the dark is an instinct. Its in our DNA" It sounds like your son has found a solution. So why worry?

No, he has to burrow under his comforter, too. I will hopefully be getting him a weighted blanket soon, that will give him weight without so much heat--that might help.

I have changed his top sheet to plain cotton, which he doesn't mind, to make it a little cooler.

We haven't even reached the hottest time of the year here, it's still relatively cool.

I worry a lot about him because often he doesn't talk about what bothers him. There have been nights when I hear him tossing and turning, and when I go in, he's roasting because someone made up his bed with three comforters or he forgot to take his shirt off, or whatever. And he's always very grateful when I help him cool off.

Also, the suffering in silence brings back painful memories of myself as a child.

But I guess for now if he says he's comfortable I'll let it be.

My daughter often likes sleeping wrapped up in fleece blankets even when it's very warm weather. Luckily, she's a heavy sleeper so I wait until she falls asleep and then I pull them off of her. For her it's more of a comfort issue than a fear issue, though.

Heck, I as an adult, was scared of the dark not too long ago after watching The Exorcist for the first time! LMAO I could imagine that creepy little girl in my closet spinning her head around. I slept with all my sheets and blankets tucked around me that night, like that would really help if she really was in that closet.

Well, I'm not afraid of the dark exclusively (I'm 14, BTW. No kids; I just sneak on this forum for fun!) but I am afraid of darkness and silence simultaneously. I solve this by either sleeping with the T.V. on with the volume at "1," streaming music from my laptop, or the radio. I feel no need to change any of that.