|
|
Post by supermommy on Mar 7, 2012 9:53:52 GMT -6
I don't know what is going on with ds1. He is 3 1/2 and has never really shown any fears until now. He has been crying at night because he is afraid of everything in his bedroom and wants his door open at night, this is fine and I expected it but when asked what he is afraid of he is unsure of what exactly. Here is the real issue, he is afraid of everything now...the vacuum, a car driving by the open window, dh giving me a hug..seriously, he thinks I am being squished. Any loud noise sets him off crying. Is this normal? Is it because he could have recently discovered the process of becoming hurt from things? I have no clue how to help him. He screams bloody murder and shakes violently when I turn the vacuum on and it's gotten t the point where I can't use it when he is home. Any advice? Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by onlyoneboy on Mar 7, 2012 10:27:26 GMT -6
My DS went through that. At least the night thing. We got an air purifier for his room and told him it was a monster scarer offer and that helped.
|
|
|
|
Post by jrose on Mar 7, 2012 10:59:04 GMT -6
Dd1 went through that phase....it was worse at bed time. I think she was starting to notice every single little noise around her. She now has a night light, a turtle that projects pretty blue stars on the walls and a radio to drown out all those noises. She goes to bed easily now that she has those comforts. As for anything else I had to explain to her and sometimes show her that whatever she was scared of wasn't scary. It took awhile to convince her but she eventually came around!
|
|
|
|
Post by dara1012 on Mar 7, 2012 19:47:20 GMT -6
DS went through this phase too (last summer and fall - right about 3 1/2) if you asked if he wanted to do anything he would say it was "too scary" in a whiny voice. Everything was "too scary" even things he had never done before and wouldn't have any concept of what it is like (ex. I asked if he wanted to go to a movie at the theater and he said it was too scary even though we had never gone before). He started to want to sleep with the lights on and was convinced he had monsters in his closet.
We compromised and he goes to bed with the lights on and then we turn them off when we go to bed (he still has a night light). He loves Berenstain Bears books and we read the "Afraid of the Dark" book and then he wasn't scared of his closet anymore. We talked a lot about mommy & daddy keeping him safe and that when we aren't around there is always someone who takes care of him that will keep him safe. He doesn't like the vacuum either, and said the noise scared him. We talked about the importance of keeping our house clean to stay healthy and included him in chores (he cleans up his toys, "helps" sweep, washes the table) and then he doesn't mind the vacuum as much.
|
|
|
|
Post by sharon on Mar 7, 2012 19:49:57 GMT -6
I do think that's a common age for fears to surface. Have you read Aletha Solter's Helping Young Children Flourish? I love her chapter on fears and have found her ideas about using humor to fight fear REALLY helpful.
|
|
