How can I get over my paranoia about letting my kids sleep in their own room?

Question

They're 5 and 4. Ever since we had a fire 3 years ago, I've had them sleeping in the same room as me. I'm afraid something might happen in the night, and I won't be right next to them, if I had to save them. I'm paranoid about some weirdo coming through their window at night and abducting them. I know this is irrational, but I can't get over it. Their beds are in my room. I can't relax unless I'm in the same room with them sleeping.

What can I do?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Oh I understand. We had a small break in while I was home alone once and they fled when I got out of the shower. Not to mention we use to have a convicted pedophile living beside us!

I use to go get my kids in the middle of the night and bring them to my room. I was so afraid nonstop.

This is one of the best neighborhoods in our area, too! Beautiful and small. It kills me.

Anyway, just do it for a week. I had to force myself to leave my kids alone in their rooms. Lock all outside doors and windows, even get a baby monitor at this age again. Leaving our hall light on helped me.

After the first week I forced myself to do this- I felt better.

Put double locks on their windows. We got *extra* alarms that would blare so loud if any window opened, at Sears. I think they were like only $10.

I put them on the doors, too, in addition to our regular security system.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I'm very sorry that you had to go through something so traumatic that it would affect your sleeping habits.

I am not a doctor or a therapist. But if I were you, here is what I would do.

I would put my kid's beds back in their own room. And then for a week I would sleep on a bean-bag, mattress in their room. Then, slowly I would move back to sleeping in my own room and just keep telling yourself that they will be okay.

I think that the only way to get through it is to face your paranoia. At first it will be extremely difficult and you might keep checking on them through the night. But the only way that you can change is if you put them in their own room and tell yourself that you are doing what's best.

And think of it this way, sooner or later THEY will be the ones asking "why?"

Good luck! =)

Answer 3

try to go on the DR. Phil show i saw this one epidsode where this murderer broke in to his house with a axe and almost killed the father of 2 kids he got striked in the head with the axe not hard tho it just left a scar. Dr.Phil used his super skills to get them living in the house that was broken in but with some makeover.