One of my daughters has an extremely hard time falling asleep. She's been that way since she was very small and it's been difficult on our whole family, to say the least.  Even worse, she often wakes up a few hours after she falls asleep and then has a hard time falling back asleep again. 

Anyway recently her pediatrician suggested that I use melatonin to help my daughter sleep.  I was a little bit skeptical to give her anything at first, but after he expained to me that it's all natural and is not addictive at all, I decided to try it.  While it doesn't make her groggy out "out of it," it does help her to fall asleep and stay asleep.  

I wouldn't suggest anyone give it to their child without first talking to your own pediatrician, but melatonin may be a great option for your children (or you!) if you have a hard time falling asleep at night.