can anyone help? child sleep issues and anxiety

When our kids were that age we used to wear them plumb out with long walks, playground visits etc. Did the trick. zzzzzz

You may have already done this, but I would suggest talking to her preschool teacher and maybe the director of the preschool, and your daughter's doctor. People who know her may be able to offer more help than we can. Also, I don't know if she's too young for this, but maybe a consultation with a play therapist or something to get some advice on getting to the root of the issue (does she have abandonment issues for some reason? did she see something scary in a book/movie that has stuck with her?) might be worthwhile. Of course, it could also just be a normal developmental phase that you'll have to wait out (and try not to go bald doing it!). Good luck.
-LP

Sometimes you just have to let them scream. And Scream some more. I have a two year old and I completely understand. Your daughter is not used to having a new baby around so when he's not around (i.e. sleeping) she wants your undivided attention. You might want to take a couple hours a day for yourself. Have you thought about PPD? It sounds like your daughter is just going through normal phases of childhood but you may be having issues with coping with two children. Just remember you are doing a great job and that counting to ten...sometimes a hundred can make a big difference. My husband is deployed and I am stationed in Europe, I have few friends and no family with a two year old, I understand completely. I wish you and your family the best. God Bless!

I have a 6 y/o son and a 4 y/o daughter. I have had sleeping issues with both of them. It takes forever to get them to sleep and they often wake up. We have talked to everyone and even been to a sleep clinic.

Firstly even waking up it will be easier for you if you can get her to spend all sleeping time in her own bed. The sleep clinic suggested putting them in their own bed and sitting on the side of the bed till they fall asleep, do thsi a couple of nights then get a chair beside the bed and sit on that beside the bed till they fall sleep a few nights then keep moving the chair gradually away til your out of the room for them to go to sleep. they recommend doing this with the initial settling then when they wake up in the night.

Rapid return is very calmly and quietly popping the child straight back when they get out of bed. Make sure you take turns so the child learns to settle with both parents. It is too much for one to have to deal with. I wouldn't worry so much about the other one. For some reason mine can both sleep through each other screaming yet wake up if someone farts downstairs *lol* They both share a room too.

To be honest we've settled into the routine of continually putting them back to bed when settling and just popping them back in the night. It is better now though we mostly can just pop them back once and they go back to sleep. Our problem occur only when they wake up together then one of us has to sit in sshing them for a hour till one falls asleep.

We're in a house with 3 girls - 9, 6, 6 with 2.5 year's difference between the oldest and the younger twins. When the twins were born, our oldest reverted back, also. Two of our kids are light sleepers, and that's just how they are. We had to - and I'm sorry to say we still have to - teach them to soothe themselves. It's not an easy trick for kids to learn, or parents to teach.

Does DD cry till you come in her room, or go to yours? If she waits for you to go to her, nip that in the bud. Our girls have to come to us, and then we walk them back to their beds as we help them soothe themselves. No sleeping in, either. Wake up time is wake up time, regardless of how late you stayed up or how often you woke. It also sounds like part of the problem is she's used to falling asleep with daddy. That's got to end. At some point she has to learn how to get in her own bed and put herself to sleep. Sorry dad... This goes back to self soothing. If she can't soothe herself to sleep at bedtime, she can't soothe herself to sleep in the middle of the night.

If you think she's following you around now, just wait till you get a houseful of the little cherubs, and you're always tripping over them. Don't let this bother you so much. Your young kids will always want to stay close to you. Consider turning this to your advantage, and putting DD to work helping you with her little brother. It worked miracles with our oldest. Oh sure, it's not like a 3yo can really sweep perfectly, but that's not the point. She enjoyed feeling like she was a contributing part of her family. Our oldest helped with things like folding sheets, sorting clothes, sweeping, feeding bottles, fetching/disposing diapers, it's a long list. She'll love that she's helping Mommy. I know what you're thinking - this will add more work than it subtracts. But trust me, it's well worth it.

Have you considered a time of day when hubby's home and you take an hour to go for a jog or bike ride by yourself? As a SAHD, trust me on this one, you must find your alone time, and it's going to take hubby to help you do that. If you don't, you'll go nuts, for sure.

I hope I'm not too preachy, and I hope this helps. We've been on your boat, and can relate to everything you're experiencing.
Trijoe.

Love Trijoe's advice to get your DD involved with helping Mommy. This will make her feel important in your eyes when she may be feeling insecure about having to share your attention with the baby. As for DS sleeping through the night... YES... it is likely he will always do this so you seem to be all set there. Back to you DD I would also suggest simply speaking to her about this issue. Although only 2.5years she can understand this "from now on you are going to fall asleep in your room" and "Mommy and Daddy expect you to sleep in your own bed all night" or "Mommy and Daddy need you to sleep in your own bed to set a good example for baby brother" and "if you stay in your own bed all night for a week you will get (special treat - for instance a trip to get ice cream with just Mommy or a date with Daddy... etc.)". She will eventually be successful and you will be so genuinely and openly pleased with her that she will continue sleeping in her big girl room/bed. It can and will work... I'd try a mixture of the suggestions posted by trijoe and others.... all seem worthy of consideration! Best of luck!!

definately get rid of the naps!