Parenting advice needed please!!!

Betsy - posted on 03/30/2009

I have heard this is something similar to sleepwalking.  He probably doesn't even realize he's doing it.  I would talk to his pediatrician.  My son was a sleepwalker and would get up and do bizarre things at night.  He  eventually outgrew it, but it is really scarey and difficult to understand.   I found that my son did it more when he was stressed about school.  I just calmly led him back to bed and he didn't even remember it in the morning. 

Stacy - posted on 03/30/2009

I agree with locking the cupboards and drawers. My daughter opened the sharps drawer one night and it was very scarey.

Stacy - posted on 03/30/2009

Was he sleeping? My daughter is almost 7 and sometimes when she gets over tired or stressed, she sleep walks. She will talk to you, her eyes will be wide open, but she isn't always listening. I used to try to wake her up but it seemed to just cause more problems. Now when I hear her get, I tend to just follow her and make sure she is safe. If it's possible he is sleep walking, take him to the Dr.

Joy - posted on 03/30/2009

I definitely think you need to talk to your doctor about it.  It does sound like sleep walking, like everyone else said.  If he consciously knew what he was doing, then he wouldn't have done it right there in front of your husband.  The way you described it, it seems like he was in his own little world and didn't even notice Daddy sitting there.  I also don't think you should punish him for it until you know for sure why he is doing it.  If it's sleep walking, then it's beyond his control and he'll think he's getting punished for nothing.  Something I'm curious about...does he remember doing it when you ask him about it?  I do feel for you though...having to clean up messes every morning.....

Caroline - posted on 03/30/2009

ask your doctor for help as this could be dangerous,  is he sleepwalking or awake. in the meantime put cupboard locks on doors and drawers.

Laura - posted on 03/30/2009

What's your son say when tou talk to him about it? Maybe this is something that needs to addressed by a doctor. I haven't heard of any children I know of personally having this issue. So sorry I have no real advice to give.

Anita - posted on 03/29/2009

If a  child doesn't know that he is sleep walking and he is not doing it on purpose I dont see why there needs to be any punishment...If he is sleep walking then u need to guide him back to bed...the only thing u can do is make sure he is safe..if u have a kitchen door maybe put a lock on it...u just have to be more aware in the middle of the night if and when he gets out of bed...most if not all people who sleep walk cant recall doing it...not sure what expert advice you can get... u might need to do more net surfing on sleep walking...best of luck...

Megan - posted on 03/29/2009

That was also my first thought...it sounds like he's sleepwalking! 

Heather - posted on 03/29/2009

Sleepwalking sounds like a possibility.  My brother used to get up, unlock the door, and walk outside.  My parents thought he was doing it on purpose and asked him about it one morning after he'd done it.  He thought they were playing a trick on him...he had no memory of doing anything.  Ask your son about it and see if he knows he's doing it.  If he is sleepwalking, do something to block him from getting into the kitchen (or anywhere else that he may go).  If he isn't sleepwalking, talk with him to see why he's doing it.  (Is he just hungry in the middle of the night?  Could there be something medically (diabetes or thyroid issue) that is making him feel like he needs food? Then let him know what the punishment will be if he is caught doing it again.  Make sure that you and your husband have a plan for enforcing the punishment if it is needed.

Eve - posted on 03/29/2009

Are you sure he is not sleepwalking? My BIL was a big sleepwalker. He would get up and wonder around and not even remember it.

Anita - posted on 03/29/2009

The first thing that springs to mind Dawn is your son is/maybe sleep walking?..I read this to my husband and that was also the first thing that sprung to mind...