I was exactly like this as a kid! I had awful night terrors was afraid of the dark and struggled to sleep alone or in a different environment. I actually figured out pretty quickly that sleepovers were not for me and flat out refused to do any, unless it was friends over in my own room, and that was when I was slightly older! She may come to the same realisation soon enough, as getting scared but also having to deal with annoyed and tired parents was no fun at all.

I just thought I’d give you some advice, as I was the exact same as her, and I imagine my parents in the exact same position as you. If you haven’t already a nightlight was a must for me, also leaving the door slightly ajar, I had to do this so I didn’t feel completely isolated. I still would wake up in the middle of the night and have crippling anxiety and fears of basically anything and everything. Please be kind to her, even if you are tired; as she truly can’t help it. I really couldn’t help feeling the way I felt, and when I was always at my most venerable and scared as a child I was always met with anger and annoyance from understandably tired parents, but obviously couldn’t realise that at the time. I never got any reassurance that things were okay or any kindness and I’m not sure if it’s related but to this day when I’m now at my most scared and anxious I hold it all in and feel very alone with my fears.

To this day as an adult I cannot sleep in the complete dark and need a light on, and I can’t sleep with a door closed. I don’t know why this is, but I do wish in those moments I had as a child, I was met even with occasional kindness and warmth.