Thanks so much for the thoughts and opinions ladies.

I understand what you're saying, my very first way of dealing with this was to assure him that monsters are not real, that they are make believe in stories and movies. I have sat with him whilst playing the game and discussed this also. I have assured him he can feel safe in our home and come hop in our bed whenever he feels necessary. He's an emotional (almost) 6 year old about to embark on a huge year and as much as he understands what i'm saying bedtime has still been a little tricky... I see the contridiction in saying monstors are not real yet providing something to keep them away but if it provides some sense of security for him and it's harmless i still just might try it.

Marydean i had actually thought about trying to explain a little more about what dreams are for him and how to make himself wake up if he finds it happening (i still do this occasionally myself) i just haven't had the right moment to do so yet. We've still had a few worries at bed time but it's easing slightly. I made up the spray yesterday and so far we've given a quick spray before bed but we're not placing that much emphasis on it.

The boys have the light on to go to sleep but we turn it off once they are asleep, i've tried leaving a night light on before but i've found the shadows cause just as much of an issue. The door is never shut. We are reading stories before bed and lots of gentle words and reasurance when needed. If i think back to when i was a child and how i would have liked to have been comforted with such an issue, i think i would have liked 'something special' to believe in that made my 6 year old imagination feel safe rather than not. We'll just keep working our way through this

Thanks again ladies it's great to be able to think these things through and get a few other ideas. I really appreciate your help