Is this normal/common behavior for a child?

Question

My 7 year old daughter is normally a very well behaved child. She has manners and respects her dad and I. I am her primary caretaker and watch over her very carefully. I also encourage her to be open with me, reminding her she can tell me absolutely anything, and ask me anything as well.

Well, here is the issue. She shares a room with me because my husband is working out of state right now and we have others living with us in our home so I like to keep her near me where I can keep an eye on her. So I notice more frequently that she cries in her sleep. I try not to wake her up for fear of that whole never wake a sleep walker thing but sometimes I get worried when it never stops.

Tonight, just a while ago, she had another episode, and woke up when I called her name. I told her to sit down. She just looked at me with a blank, not like her, stare. I asked her why she was listening and she did the same. So I thought maybe she was asleep. I asked her "Are you asleep?" She said no. Then I asked her again why she isn't listening to me and she said 'I don't know'. I called her dad, but he didn't answer, so I have no help there.

Could there be soemthing going on with her or are these night terrors normal? Do they leave a child disoriented? '

Answer 1

My sister had that happen to her for a couple of years. The most memorable thing that happened was she walked to my room, opened my door at night, and asked me "Where's Eliza?" In an annoyed but very tired voice, and then I was like "uhh what?" And then she was like "WHERE'S ELIZA!!??" And proceeded to start crying! It was messed up lol, it's not the same as that, but I do know that night terrors do leave a child disoriented because my sister would often cry or just have wierd episodes before she would have the wierd dreams and then come into my room disoriented and not know whats going on lol. I think it's normal. As strange as it sounds, I believe it's common at a certain age that is random and different for everyone.

Answer 2

I remember when my daughter had the same sort of thing. It would freak me out. one time she was asleep with her eyes open so I said very firmly " Graycie close your eyes when your sleeping" and she closed them. It was so weird but yeah usually she would wake up so slowly it was like she couldn't distinguish if she was still asleep or awake. And sometimes she would scream and cry so loud you'd think she was being murdered. I just let her sleep through though it unless it got really bad then I'd just wake her gently with hugs and kisses reassuring her every thing was ok. She's 8 now and hasn't had any in quite a while.

Answer 3

I only have a 1 month old, but maybe she misses her father. Or it could be the extra people in your house troubling her.

Answer 4

This sounds worrying.... try to talk to her about it. be easy going and friendly and let  her know that its ok- no matter what it is. maybe she misses her father?? Have you also tried to speak to someone at school about it? maybe her caretaker or friends might kno whats up? I wish you all the best!

Answer 5

I don't have any kids, but both my brother and sister do the same thing. Your daughter is probably half awake or in a bad dream. If she starts crying in her sleep, I would wake her up gently and she will probably pull out of her dream fall back into a more peaceful sleep.

I wouldn't be too worried about it as long as she can't hurt herself by rolling off the bed or even hurting you. Some kids have it. Some don't. When she wakes up with the stare, she is most likely not fully conscious. This is probably why she doesn't respond normally.

Answer 6

My daughter is almost 7.  She has cried in her sleep as well.  Sometimes she has even gotten out of bed and come to me in the night.  I give her a hug and tell her I love her and she had better get some sleep.

She never remembers this in the morning.

They have bad dreams.  Maybe she's watching something, or has heard something, that scared her, but she never let on, and it comes out in her sleep.