If so, you'll need to get some help for him. If you've done everything you can to reassure your child and he's still intensely fearful, his fears may have crossed the line from a normal developmental issue to a phobia or anxiety problem. How can I tell whether my child's nighttime fears are abnormal? He may prefer calming rituals such as reading and soft music to help him feel secure at bedtime. Only you can know whether tactics like these are likely to offer your child solace or elevate his anxiety. "If there are no creatures lurking in my room," your preschooler might wonder, "then why is my mom looking for them?" The same goes for making a big deal of searching your child's room for monsters before kissing him goodnight - it may reassure one child and terrify another. But he may still think, "If grown-ups actually have this stuff to get rid of monsters, then there must really be monsters." It may be better for you to spray the room before you kiss him goodnight. ![]() After all, being armed with monster spray means you're expected to do battle with the thing under the bed, and that's a pretty scary thought for a little kid. It may give them a feeling of power when you say, "If you think you see a monster, just spray it with this, and it will go away."īut for other kids, this strategy can backfire. Should I give my child monster spray to help him ward off nighttime fears?įor some young children, a spray bottle filled with water might be an effective tool to ward off imaginary creatures lurking in the closet or under the bed - but it depends on the child. As long as everyone's happy and rested, it's time well spent. After that, just keeping the monitor on your child's nightstand may be comfort enough.Īnd don't worry about having your child sleep with you for a while, just until his nighttime fears subside and he's off to another developmental challenge. But it could be a way to keep a nervous child in his bed while you get to be somewhere else, and the novelty of overuse should wear off within a few nights. Granted, this privilege may be easily abused, and its constant use can get tedious. Newer models let your child talk into the monitor and hear you talk back, reassuring him that you're still there even when you're out of sight. ![]() If your child is afraid of being alone and is comforted only by contact with you, consider using a two-way baby monitor. If your child has a sibling or even a pet, letting them bunk together can make nighttime fears vanish as suddenly as they appeared. ![]() Leaving the bedroom door ajar, playing an audio story or lullabies, and encouraging your child to sleep with a beloved toy or blanket may also help. You can also give him a flashlight of his own to use for a little extra security. A night-light may also make your child feel more secure. The lulling sameness of a bedtime ritual serves as a talisman of sorts, warding off evildoers and bad thoughts and easing the transition from wide-awake to sound asleep. (One perennial favorite to add to your list is Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban.) Ask your librarian for a list of storybooks about kids dealing with bedtime fears or see which bedtime books other Bab圜enter members recommend. Avoid exposing your child to screens at all in the last hour or two before bedtime.Įstablish a peaceful evening routine that includes, for example, a warm bath, a gentle story, a quiet song, and a few minutes of you sitting quietly by his bed while he settles. ![]() (You've undoubtedly noticed how dark some fairy tales and fairy tales and animated movies can be.) Don't watch violent or suspenseful television shows or movies while he's still in the room. In the hours before bed, prime your child with happy stories.
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