Sleepwalking

As an 11 year old child, I had a champion sleep walking event – let me tell you about it. Growing up in the Seattle suburbs, we lived in a one story rambler. We were friends with the neighbors, who were our age, and also lived in a rambler. One night, after having the flu, I walked down the long hall, out our front door, around the side of the house, up a 2’ rockery, and into the neighbors’ walk. From there I pulled the string to open the wooden gate, up the 6 stairs to their backdoor, in and through their house to the parents room. There I stood until they woke up, I woke after being walked to their kitchen, and my parents woke when the neighbors pounded on the door delivering me home.

Sleepwalking is a type of parasomnia. Sleepwalking typically does occur in children, and resolves as they go through puberty. Sleepwalking tends to run in families. As you can see from the story above, safety is a primary concern. If your child sleepwalks, you need to make sure that doors and windows are locked, stairs are safely blocked, and other hazards are contained. You can hang a bell over the door, so it will alert you when the child gets up. When someone is sleepwalking it is best to simply guide them back to bed gently.