Calling In The Big Guns

First Son suffers from insomnia. It takes him an insane amount of time to get settled and go to sleep each night. Bedtime is at 8:30. He is allowed to read in bed until lights-out at 9:00. He is usually still awake at 11 o'clock, often much later than that.

He has to be up at 7 in the morning to have time to eat breakfast and be at school by 8. He is often late, and even when he isn't, the morning is often unpleasant because I have to force him out of bed and we end up arguing.

We have tried a lot of things to try and help him get to sleep. Reading before lights-out is one way to relax before trying to sleep. He also has a relaxation CD, as well as some other calm CDs that he can listen to. He has to stay in bed until Second Son falls asleep (which usually takes about three seconds or two winks of an eye, whichever is shortest), then First Son can come sit on my bed with me and tell me about his day. We have also tried stretching, a warm glass of milk with honey, etc. etc. etc.

Yesterday, I decided to call in the big guns: I took First Son to a homeopathic clinic. The lady at the reception had only one thing to offer us, a product called Quiétude. Unfortunately, it says on the box that it is meant for children from 6 months to 6 years of age, so I didn't buy it. Instead, I asked for an appointment with the homeopathic doctor. So we have to go back next Tuesday for the appointment. I hope it helps. We'll see...

It occurs to me that calling in a homeopath is not necessarily calling in the big guns. For me, the big guns would be something like sleeping pills. But those are in no way appropriate for a child of 8, so I'm not even going there. So, the homeopath is the second-biggest gun I can think of, since First Son's pediatrician was unable to help us. "Give him more vitamins." That didn't work.  :/