Luke does not want us to leave him tonight. He is always such a good sleeper. We came downstairs and heard crying. He was really upset and then would cry everytime we tried to leave his room. Andy gave him his dinosaur flashlight and is laying on the floor next to his bed. Luke just keeps playing with the flashlight.

He has been in a scared phase lately. He wants to know what every loud noise is and doesnt like to be alone. It was getting better. But at night we have our routine and he always falls asleep without a problem on his own. Tonight it was like he was doing all the normal stuff to delay bedtime...asking to go potty again, read another story, say prayers again. But then we we would leave he would just cry and cry. He would get right up as soon as I stood up to leave and cling to me.

I'm worried now that some kind of trend is going to start from this. I really hope its just a one night deal. Has anyone dealt with this from a 2 year old?

No advice as I've not been through this, but am :praying: for your family and little Luke!

It's normal and won't last forever! We just keep reassuring that they are not alone and God is always with them. It works in a fairly short amount of time.

Yeah I would think this is something that would likely pass. Could someone lay with him in the mean time until he falls asleep and then leave?

:hug: Liz! I know this can be frustrating and scarey. It will pass, but in the mean while, you feel like there should be something you need to be doing.
Just give Luke reassurance and lots of hugs. We used a night light, not a flashlight because my boys played with it too! :D
And what Darcy said...reassure him that God is always with him.
When my boys went to VBS, they had sayings like "God is with us, FEAR NOT!" I just repeat that when they are feeling scared or alone. it does help.
And let's not forget about prayer! I know you always pray with Luke, just say an extra one for yourself!! :hug:

I wish I had some magic words for you!

Well it was not a one night thing. :( it happened at naptime and bedtime again. It seems to be a genuine fear. When we're there he's fine but if we even try to leave he starts to get hysterical. We've both prayed in the room to remove anything evil. I sat by the door tonight which he was ok with until i sneaked out and he figured out i was gone 5 mins later and went nuts. I am so frustrated and so sad at the same time.

We have had a nightlight in there all along. Both last night and at naptime one of us stayed with him until he fell asleep. At midnight he woke up crying and Andy went up with him. I just cant figure out what changed two days ago...

oh no! I'm sorry to hear that Liz! I'm just praying that Luke will get past this and everyone can sleep soundly again!
Jake went through a period of this too. There really wasn't anything we could do for him but be with him & hold him. It seemed like forever. I know it's hard when you are in it, but it does pass. :hug:

I'm so sorry! I imagine everyone is frustrated and tired but I agree that sometimes there really sin't anything we can do but just be there for him. I hope this passes soon!

How is Luke doing?

Better. That night I posted last was really long and rough. After that we realized that he was just trying to see how much he could get away with. So the next day at naptime we just did everything we always do and closed the door tight and didnt respond to the hysterics. They stopped within one minute. Then there was silence and 20 mins later he climbed into his bed and fell asleep (video monitor). Bedtime was a little longer for him to go to sleep. But he did. Each day has gotten a little easier.

I think he was/is afraid of something. But he is learning that there is nothing to be afraid of. He is comforting himself. Telling himself, "you're ok".

I also think he was being 2 and testing and seeing how much he could get away with/how much he could control. He has used hysterics to try to control things in the past, a friend pointed out. He know that is one thing that gets to me.

It was really hard to watch him. My sappy mommy side wanted to jump in and hold him. But I knew that he had to get through this because we just could not do that every night. And like I said the crying wasnt even a minute long. Thanks everyone for the advice and prayers. Hopefully this is behind us.

:thumbs: Good to hear!

that's awesome Liz! glad to hear that Luke is learning something for himself! and you're not sappy! LOL you are just a good mom!