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nightmares re death

Mrs.TeddyMrs.Teddy member
in Pre-School and Daycare

DS has been having nightmares lately. I feel so sad for him. I'm not sure if anything is causing these or if its a normal part of development.

He often wakes up very upset and is able to talk about the dreams. Lately he has dreamed of drowning and being trapped underground. He has even said he "died" in his dream and it made him sad.

We have not had anyone in the family die. There was receantly a terrible accident in our city where some young girls his age were killed and I know he overheard the word, he asked about it and I explained breifly that when a person dies they go to heaven and it makes people here sad because they can't see them anymore. However these dreams (particularly the dorwning one) started before the accident.

Has anyone else expereienced this? He has started coming into our bed more because of these dreams. Any suggestions for us?

He is potty training and we have a new baby, perhaps this is related?

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Re: nightmares re death

  • neverblushedneverblushed member

    My son went through a stage when he was fearful and anxious.  He asked questions about death.  He did have scary dreams at this time, but not about dying, per se.  He was a little over 3 at the time, but it was also at a stage when he was going through lots of changes: using the potty, starting preschool, moving into a big boy bed.

    Come to think of it, my daughter (who was much more verbal than my son) went through a phase when she asked a TON of questions about death and dying.  She wasn't particularly anxious or upset -- just filled with questions about the topic.  She was about 2 1/2 at the time.

    So, I don't think there's anything unusual about having these thoughts as a child grows older and becomes aware of his/her own smallness and fragility compared to the world.  It's pretty normal for older toddlers and preschoolers to fixate on this idea. 

    High School English teacher and mom of 2 kids:

    DD, born 9/06/00 -- 12th grade
    DS, born 8/25/04 -- 7th grade
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