The device that finally eased my son’s anxiety at bedtime

The stories are so soothing even I drifted off to sleep during an 8-minute session!

Knowing your child is sleeping soundly is the best feeling for a parent. Image: iStock

For new parents, it's getting their newborn to sleep through the night. For toddler parents, it's navigating their way through the dreaded 18-month sleep regression. And for parents of primary school kids, it's about helping them navigate through anxious feelings that keep them awake. 

Ah, bedtime battles. It's the parental "gift" that keeps on giving. No matter what age your child is. 

For my guy, who turns 11 this year, bedtime anxiety hit the moment people went back to "normal" after COVID lockdown - when parents went back to work in the office and children returned to the classrooms.

We all had to learn how to be around people again, and for so many children, this was the hardest adjustment that came from the pandemic. 

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Knowing your child is sleeping soundly is the best feeling for a parent. Image: iStock

Anxiety at bedtime is common

I called the Kids Helpline for advice after a particularly hard night of tears that went from 7:30pm to midnight. We talked through all of the common things that might've been worrying my little guy (friendship hiccups, bullying, school workload, worries at home, etc), and just like my son told me, nothing was sticking out as the obvious reason for the anxious feelings at night time. 

I was told that it sounded like my child was having the same experience as many other school children at the time. 

"Children are having a hard time adjusting. You are just one of many callers just today that have explained the same kind of thing," she said. I was told to stick with it, be patient and it will pass. 

But as I did a bit more research, it's not just COVID and getting back to our "normal" routine that causes these worrying feelings when the head hits the pillow. 

According to parenting author Maggie Dent, it's common for children to struggle to fall asleep if they've got their mind stuck in a "negative bias" and haven't been able to decompress their day or envisage something positive in the future.

Yes, talking about what's worrying them, but more importantly, giving them something else to think about. 

With this in mind, we introduced meditations into our daily sleep routine: Brush teeth, read, meditation, lights out. 

Meditation isn't new to our family but making sure we did it every night was. I toggled between the Headspace, Calm and Smiling Mind apps and the new routine saw some hopeful changes but I wasn't keen on having an iPad or phone in the bedroom every night for my children to fall asleep. Especially when there were nights when I needed my phone with me... you know, to do my usual online shopping and social media scroll!

RELATED: How to identify the signs of anxiety in children

The Little Morphée. Image: Kidspot

The device that finally helped ease bedtime anxiety

I stumbled on Morphée range of sleep devices at the perfect time.

The company, born in the heart of the Provence in France, has a range of aids that are perfect for families like ours who want to incorporate meditation into their regular routine without the use of other devices. 

With the help of sleep specialists - sophrologists, doctors and sleep centres - their products were born with the "sole intention of soothing our nights by combining meditation and disconnection."

The range boasts three different designs -Morphée Zen ($119.99 and designed for those who need to chill while on the go), Morphée ($149.99 and the OG of the range) and My Little Morphée ($149.99, targetted at children). I decided to give them a try.

First up, the designs of the products are super cute. The Little Morphée looks like a tiny boom box which is aesthetically pleasing, so makes for the perfect bedside table accessory in your child's bedroom. 

The Little Morphée offers 192 combinations of scenarios your child can relax to and they're always in control. With a turn of the key, first they choose the theme of the session they want for the night (animals, music, nature sounds), and then they move on to the universe in which they want to travel to (an island, desert, forest). The length of the meditations can also be selected.

My kids were super excited for bedtime and I decided to join in on the fun. We selected our theme and scene and took a comfy spot on the bed before we hit play. There was no fidgeting, no getting up, no laughing... just pure concentration on the story being told.

Or so I thought... The kids fell asleep before the 8-minute session was done!

"What is this magic machine!?" I thought. 

The Morphée. Image: Kidspot

RELATED: Sleep expert’s tips on getting kids to sleep tonight

No turning back now

Knowing novelties like this can wear off quickly, I gave the device a run each night for two weeks, rotating between the younger stories The Little Morphée offered and the more grown-up relaxing stories the original Morphée offered.

Each time, my children - including my anxious son - drifted off to sleep with no problems. Even I dosed off one night while sitting in on a session! 

And it seems we're not the only ones who now swear by it. Reviews online show that other parents in a similar position have also seen success. 

"Our Morphee has been used every night since it arrived! The amount of different combinations the kids can choose is great & they actually look forward to bedtime now!" one parent raved online.

"Really recommend to create a bedtime routine. My son loves astronauts so definitely the space stories are truly his favourites," another added. 

Sure, the devices hit the pocket a little harder than an app that can be downloaded on the phone, but the idea of having it there in the bedroom and can be used anytime it's needed, just like the switch of a lamp, can be all the reassurance that is needed to drift off to sleep peacefully. 

Originally published as The device that finally eased my son’s anxiety at bedtime