Type-A Mom : Children Afraid of the Dark

Children Afraid of the Dark
By:Taylor_Blue on:Tue 29 of May, 2007 [14:56 UTC] (5241 reads)

Being afraid of the dark is one of the most common fears a child has. Thinking back to my childhood I was really scared of the dark. We lived in the country and it was pitch black at night. I still had a night light when I was eleven years old because I thought something might get me in the dark. Here are some solutions to help your child through this time.

1) Don’t make fun of him for having this fear. Notice the child’s feelings by telling your child you know how they feel. Tell him that if he gets to know the room better in the dark, the less afraid he will be. To help, start walking around the room when the lights are on. Then turn off the lights and explore again. If your child says there is a scary spot shine a flashlight on that spot to show him that it’s not scary.

2) Let your child sleep with a night light on. Even a string of Christmas lights will make a nice glow. This need for having a light will eventually disappear.

3) Do research with your child on the dark. Have a dinner by candlelight or take a walk at dusk. Doing things in the dark will make him realize he has nothing to be afraid of. Go to the library and take books out about the stars, and then spread out blankets on your grass and watch the stars.

4) Don’t freak out on your child because of his fear of being scared of the dark. It will eventually pass.

5) Avoid letting your child watch or read scary things. This is means at any time of the day. (They have very good memory and will remember by the time they go to bed.)

6) Let your child have a special toy or blanket in bed with him. This way if he gets scared he can hold on to this item and think good thoughts.

7) Tell him you will check on him often. That way he will know you will come in and check on him every 5-10 minutes and you won’t have to worry for him to call out for you.