[socktape]

We gave our son an old digital alarm clock when he was 3 and explained to him for few nights at bedtime that it was bedtime and that he was to stay in his room and do his best to sleep until at least "seven zero zero" unless he had to go to the bathroom in which case he could go out to do his deed and then right back to bed. It took a couple of times of "It isn't 7:00 go back to bed" but after 2 or 3 nights worked out.

Might be worth a shot if you have an old clock lying around.

We also tend to have an ongoing issue with our son and bad dreams.... he'll be fine for a couple of months and then for a week straight he'll be up at least once a night crying, not necessarily awake but crying. Most times it will just take a touch from us and he'll lay back down and go to sleep. It's annoying but it goes away after a couple of days.