My 7 year old step daughter is having trouble sleeping at night. What can I do to help her sleep at night?

Start with a set bed time. Do not change it for any reason. Children need consistency! If she has a routine before bedtime, stick with it! If you read her a story before bed, she will expect it everynight. Make her bedtime routine brief and simple.
Once she is in bed, she needs to know that she has to STAY there! Children are real good at manipulating parents! Don't let her! If she tries to get out of bed with any excuse, 'I'm thirsty' "I'm affraid" WHATEVER her excuse, just remind her "It is bedtime, you need to go back to bed" and continue what you were doing, acknowledging her nomore. Of course she is going to try to manipulate you further, just ignore her! EVEN if she cries!
If she shows up in your room once in a while because there is a windstorm or thunderstorm, that is ok, but if it happens everynight, stop her! She needs to know that is an adults room and not hers. It IS ok to lock your door so that she can not get in there. I know that you are saying 'no way will I lock my door' But you know that nothing will happen to her while your door is locked, other than she will not get in, and therefor she will get the hint. She might be found in the morning laying on the floor with her blanky by your door, but that is a big step, and she will learn from it! She is 7, not 2. She understands when you tell her she cant come in, she just keeps manipulating you to let her sleep with you BECAUSE IT HAS WORKED SO FAR!
As far as her just not sleeping, try making bedtime a comforting time for her. Make sure that she has a nice warm bath first, then let her pick out a book and/or maybe a stuffed toy.
When my son wouldn't sleep at night (during the transition from mom and dads bed to his own bed) I bought him a new stuffed dragon and told him that it came from the kid protector stuffed animal store and told him that the animal was made to protect him when it is dark and when he was alone.
It worked for him.
Hope this helped.
Good luck!

This answer was edited by LissaC 372 days ago.

Reason: add