Kylie v birch tree "flowers"

2mommiesinoh

*I tried to include a picture because really these things are funky looking but the link would not work. For examples they google catkins and seriously they look like giant fuzzy caterpillars* 

This is our first spring in this house and we have about 7 white birch trees between our yard and the neighbor's. Apparently white birch tree flowers look like poop to a toddler that is both obsessed and terrified with poop. When we came home yesterday Ky found one of these in the front yard and did her standard "EWWW, yuck, showee" We were like it is okay Ky it is just a pine cone (We have this conversation daily), oh wait no that is not a pine cone. What is that? Oh it is just a tree seed. Ky it is okay just a tree seed. Well that did not convince her we needed to carry her in the house.

A few hours later we decided to go out back and play. Ky had her ball and threw it out the door. Then we both looked out the door and she froze. our entire backyard was COVERED in these things. Like a blanket of fuzzy caterpillar/poop looking things. Ann comes out and sweeps off the patio. Ky come out the door and stands. She refuses to get her ball from the yard as it is in a middle of a pile of these things. I roll her ball to her and she grabs it and goes back to standing by the door. I begin raking them into a pile while Ann tries to get her to play. We hold them in our hands, pet them, show them to her, walk in them barefoot holding her, have Charlie the cat come out and bat them around.

No response, so we go back inside. Ky goes to grab the broom Ann left lenaing against the cabinets and on falls off of it. Ky runs for the rug by the kitchen door and is sobbing/screaming a the top of her lungs. She refuses to leave the rug even though I took the offending flower outside (I realized the trash can would be a bad idea). I have to pick her up and carry her into the living room. She finally calms down like 20 minutes later.

I am at a loss. I mean these things are here to stay at least for a few more weeks. I read that they drop these things all spring. I mean I can rake a giant PILE of them in my yeard like leaves in the fall. Ky is TERRIFIED. HELP!

 

Two*True

I know the things you're talking about.  I used to love playing with those as a kid.  I would take the dry ones, sort of twist them, and blow the pieces free to the wind.

I'm sorry Ky is so terrified.  I think you've done everything right, maybe in time she will get used to them.  Sorry I don't have advice, I haven't dealt with a child having a fear yet.

ctbride08

oh that's tough  

I haven't had to deal much with fears myself, but generally the parenting books I've read suggest ignoring fears or giving them the least amount of attention (positive or negative) as possible.  basically by you treating it as a non-issue, she will learn to as well.