Bedtime Wars

I am told most children go through this, and most children overcome the fear of monsters under the bed, in the closet, outside the window, etc.  However when your a parent in the midst of these bedtime fear factors the fact that one day this too shall pass doesn't always bring the comfort it should. 

Right now Ethan is scared to death to sleep in his room.  This fear first reared its ugly head around the first of the year but only 2 or 3 nights a month,  then it gradually has increased to every night.  As soon as the sun starts going down panic sets in.  We've tried many different remedies, and none really work.  I think this is something he will have to grow out of.   (This picture is Ethan sleeping in the hallway...due to monsters in his room)

I have a hard time with this because I know how fear can take grip upon ones life.  I was terrified to sleep in my room when I was a child...something that took MANY MANY MANY years to grow out of.  As an adult I may find the fear of monsters irrational but just because I find it silly doesn't mean Ethan views it the same way.  His fear is just as real as my fears...regardless of if it makes sense or not. 

If I am being honest I don't like to sleep by myself to this day, I don't like the dark, I have irrational fears, and I don't want someone sweeping them under the rug because it doesn't make sense to them.  For me to tell Ethan it is perfectly safe to sleep in his room by himself is a double standard if I too am still afraid to sleep by myself.  In parenting I think it is wise to remember that fear doesn't have to make sense.  I don't think this phase will pass quickly if all we do as parents is tell him being afraid is ridiculous and to move on.  For now we are combating his fears with prayer which I feel is the best way to handle this.