Night terrors following trauma

[Picky]

Hi all

As some of you may know, myself and the baby Pickys witnessed a horrific accident last week where a 3 year old boy was knocked over and killed on the road in front of us. every night since baby Picky #1 who is also 3 has woken up screaming and crying, saying he's frightened and it seems like nightmares/terrors. I've taken lots of advice from my gp and health visitors who have contacted specialist childrens mental health services who've said that at his age it won't have sunk in enough to damage him forever but we just have to work through this initial stage. Has anyone else had an experience like this with their little one who can offer any advice? When he's waking we're just reassuring and hugging him but my husband is ending up sleeping in his room most nights now, so I am concious that we don't want to set that as a new routine. It's hard to know what to do for the best.

Thanks

Px

[redcrx]

HI picky,
Ive not been in that situation and hope i never am but i would perhaps continue with anything that calms him down for now. If it does set a routine then you will have to wean him off of it onces he feels more secure.
Im sure its probably easier to deal with a child whos upset that mummy or daddy arent sleeping in his room than it is to deal with the cause of the night terrors.
I hope the memory fades soon for him

[tigwig]

Oh god how awful for you both, that is terrible. Like red says I would do anything that calms your little boy and not worry about bad habits forming. I hope that as well as calming him you are getting help yourself if needed. That would be my worst nightmare to witness what you have. I think you just have to reassure little picky that it won't happen to him and stress road safety without going OTT. I would have thought that he is thinking it will happen to him when in fact it almost definitely won't. Sorry if I haven't been much help. Take care and look after yourself too.

[Picky]

Thanks both. It was literally the worse, scariest, most horrific thing I've ever seen. I'm getting lots of help too as on top on the PND, the grief after my Dad dying and 2 miscarriages, it's fair to say it's tipped me over the edge a bit. I'm so worried about the little fella though, he's been inundated with cuddles and kisses so much to the point he's saying "oh for goodness sake Mummy, I know you love me".

Thanks again

Px

[Schlomo78]

Bless you Picky, hang in there hon. x x