I'm Scared Of The Dark! Helping A Child To Overcome Night Fears
Looking For Reasons
Have there been any changes to the child's life recently? Any of these events can trigger new fears in a child:
Death of a member of the family, friend or pet
New baby in the family
House move
New child care provider
Different pre-school schedule or a change to an existing one
Change in family status due to redundancy or similar
Have they been significantly upset by a scary story or TV program or cartoon
How To Help The Child
Don't try to make a joke of the fear. It's real to the child and that's what matters. You may think you're making light of their fear by poking fun at it, dismissing it or teasing them about it - but this is known to be unhelpful. It can make the fear last longer and worse, affect the child's trust in you.
However small the child's fear seems to you, always listen to them with patience and sympathy. Avoid becoming exasperated or annoyed at the child. You are there to be supportive and work towards a solution. Any sign of derision will be counter-productive.
Give the child something to 'fight back with'. Create some form of 'protection' for them. This could be a superhero toy or special anti-monster potion (water in a simple spray bottle) or a cartoon character flashlight. This will give the child back some of the power that the fear takes away.
Don't insist that the child sleeps in the dark. If you were scared of spiders, how would you like to be forced to have a tarantula on your hand?
Nightlights (timed and continuous) are available. Leave a small bedside light on until you go to bed. Give the child a flashlight to use whenever they want. The need for light usually only lasts for a short time so allow the child this simple request. Try and play it down so that the child doesn't become totally dependant on it.
Try and avoid having the child sleep with you. This is a difficult habit to break so it's best not to start it. If they come to you, saying they're scared, simply take them back to bed. Check the room out and reassure them that they are quite safe. If necessary, stay until the child settles.
Try not to worry too much about the fear. It is normal and happens to a lot of children. If you deal with it calmly and in a helpful way, it should pass within a few weeks or months.
Related Tags: phobia, fear, night, childcare, sitter, baby, beat, babysitter, sitting, babysitting, dark, scared, overcome, psy
If this sounds like a dream career to you - take the first step to making that dream come true. Visit http://www.superbabysitting.com for free tips, babysitting advice and how to claim a first aid book and babysitters handbook.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Top Riding Toys For 201
Children love the excitement and adventure that can be found by cruising on their own ride on toy. W - Picking the Best Size Bike For Your Child
Bicycling can be a great way for your child to get a little extra exercise. Learning to ride a bike - How to Help Your Kids Through Difficult Events
Even as a child or adolescent we may face challenging times when things seem to be crashing down aro - How to Make Your Home Safe For a Young Child
New parents often spend weeks preparing their home for the arrival of their new baby. While there is - 4 Things to Know Before You Buy a Diaper Bag
Some things to keep in mind before you purchase the diaper bag are the following: material, the cost - Exciting Food Suggestions For Kids
Making kids eat healthy food is a big task every mother goes through. With kids pre-occupied with pl - Add Modern Touches to Your Toddler's Room With Modern Toddler Bedding
Decorating a child's room presents parents with several different challenges simultaneously: Choosin - When Should You Be Concerned About Your Baby's Health?
Your baby's health is one of the most important and delicate things that you have to keep abreast of - Having a Happy and Healthy Baby With the Benefits of Baby Massage
Mothers have known for centuries the benefits of baby massage, the world over. In many Asian countri - Diaper Bags And Their Uses
Parents usually need to take diaper bags along with them if they out on a trip. Especially, if the b
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Perfect Parent...Who Are We Kidding?
I get the feeling that there are a lot of moms and dads out there that feel they're not measuring up - Partial Breastfeeding - Should I Even Bother?
For some women, feeding a baby with breastmilk alone is not possible. The reasons for this vary. For - Skateboarding In The Eighties To The Present
Skateboarding traces its roots to the seventies but it really reached the peak of its popularity in - How Breastfeeding Benefits A Daddy
You know that breastfeeding is best for mother and child, but what's in it for Dad? Isn't he going t - Child-Appropriate Costumes: Violence, Sexuality, And Insensitivity
So your daughter wants to be Wonder Woman for Hallowe'en, or your son wants to be Batman. They're bo - The Evolution Of Vitamin B5 For Acne
I came across the benefits of Vitamin B5 6 years ago whilst searching for an acne treatment that act - Depression And Teens - Six Signs That Your Child May Be Suffering From Depression
Most people are now aware of the seriousness of depression. This has become much more common and mor - Parenting Teenager - Take Time For Your Teen!
BookWire's "Year in Reviews Magazine," December 2006 issue, lists a review of my book "Help Me With - Why It's Important To Follow A Healthy Diet When Pregnant
Pregnancy is one of the most physically enduring times in our lives, and it is more important than e - Sleep Separation And Your Child
It seems harmless enough, lying down with your child while he goes to sleep, but it could be that sl
