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How do you help DC get over a fear?

Rebekah1021Rebekah1021
in Parenting

On Sunday, DD saw a video at a friend's house on youtube that scared the piss out of her.

She's now afraid of the dark and to be alone. She has been almost glued to my hip since. I have tried assuring her that DH and I will protect her and she's safe.

How can I help her? All the lights are on, she's been sleeping with us. I'd like to go back in time, but obviously not gonna happen.

Audrey Elizabeth 11-11-06 image
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Re: How do you help DC get over a fear?

  • Cbidt's girlCbidt's girl
    Talk to her (ask) what exactly she is afraid will happen. Then help her brainstorm how she can protect herself. Letting her cone up with ways to feel safe gives her more control (rather than you protecting her which still feels out of her control). You can amend her ideas if they aren't possible.
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  • Starr57Starr57 member
    I think maybe she just needs time. It's only 48 hours later. Just do as much as you can to distract her and keep her occupied. I hate to admit this, but I can't watch a scary movie right before bed. I have to turn on The Little Mermaid or something so I don't freak out when it's dark.
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  • docmay25docmay25 member

    I agree that it has only been 2 days and it may pass.  She may be over it in a week.  Until then I think talking about it helps.  What exactly is it that she is bothered by, why does this bother her.  At this age, my children are able to start relating to things that happened to me as a child.  So if I tell them soemthing that I was afraid of or didn't like but then realized that it wasn't so bad, they find that interesting.

    Books also help my dc's a lot when having problems with things.  My dd developed a fear of the dark out fo nowhere.  We started gettign books out of the library and it helped. A couple that she liked: The Berenstein Bears Afraid of the Dark and The Pout Pout Fish in the Big Big dark. 

    At bedtime, with my dd who is afraid I give her things to do while she tries to fall asleep.  this helpd so that she isn't just laying there thinking how afraid she is.  She has books on cd to listen to, I give her a booklight and she is allowed to read one book (usually that is all she needs before falling asleep), she has stuffed animals that she sings songs to or tells a story to.  These are all things that are quiet and relaxing for bedtime but help distract her until she falls asleep.

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  • bebemamabebemama member
    That was pretty scary what she saw.  I agree with Starr, she's probably just going to need some time.  I would also do lots of cuddling, and super happy movies and books to distract her. 
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  • bebemamabebemama member
    That was pretty scary what she saw.  I agree with Starr, she's probably just going to need some time.  I would also do lots of cuddling, and super happy movies and books to distract her. 
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