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How to help a child not be afraid of a prior nightmare

Mama-BearMama-Bear member
in School-Aged Children

DS1 had a nightmare a couple of weeks ago about ghosts and is now afraid of his room. We leave his closet light on and the closet door open. We also have an "Exit" light and that's sitting on a shelf in his room and we leave on. Any idea how to help him past this? We tell him that ghosts aren't real (we don't believe in ghosts), I just don't know how to help him past this.  He freaks out every night when it's time for bed and begs to sleep in our room (sometimes we'll allow him). 


GSx1 - 05/13/2013
GSx2 for T&B - EDD 6/21/2015 - They're having a GIRL!
babybaby
BabyGaga
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Re: How to help a child not be afraid of a prior nightmare

  • neverblushedneverblushed member
    Soon he will reach the age of more rational thinking, and even though he will still FEEL afraid of things, he'll know that scary things don't actually exist, and it will be easier.  Kids tend to grow into this more rational way of thinking sometime between 6 1/2 and 7, so you're getting close.

    However, until you reach that stage, sometimes you have to fight the supernatural with the supernatural.  I used to enlist the help of a strong and fierce stuffed animal in these situations.  I would give a little speech like this:

    "Now, I know there are no ghosts and that ghosts are not real.  But, if you are still scared, I will ask Rexy the dinosaur to stand guard on the corner of your bed, just in case.  Rexy, are you ready to stand guard on the edge of the bed?  [hold Rexy up to my ear and have him "answer" me.]  Okay, Rexy says he'll take the job.  He's going to stand up here and stay awake all night so that you don't have to be worried.  Rexy is so fierce that ghosts will be afraid of HIM!!"

    Although my kids always knew that this wasn't "real," it still helped.  The same part of their brains that still believe ghosts could exist also allows them to believe that a stuffed animal can protect them from the ghosts.
    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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  • Mama-BearMama-Bear member
    edited September 2013

    It just breaks my heart that he cries and screams every night that we won't let him in our room (and I know he's scared, not just pretending to come in our room).  He's fine if we lay with him until he falls asleep, but sometimes that's just not feasible. I remember nightmares as a kid, I had to think of happy  things every night as I fell asleep or I'd have them.  He's a very high strung child that I think may also suffer from anxiety.  I'll see if we can find something along the lines of your Rex.


    GSx1 - 05/13/2013
    GSx2 for T&B - EDD 6/21/2015 - They're having a GIRL!
    babybaby
    BabyGaga
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