Nighttime Fears

I bought a cd with "bedtime" stories on it through Chinaberry.com by Jim Weiss he does kid version "imagine a place" so it is like meditation (?) the stories are about the beach, a cabin int he woods, a unicorn, he has a VERY soothing voice and my two boys really really like it. They are oler now but still ask for it often and even my husband and I find it relaxing if we are sitting with them.

say, well mama is really sorry she tried to spray away the monsters because you know, there are none....see you let her believe that indeed there were monsters ....try to put her in her room with some back ground noise even the t.v. at first and every 30 minutes or so while it's still fairly early ....stop in and say...see how brave you are and how safe you are and look how many nights you have spent in this room and nothing has or will ever bother you...

I know exactly what you are going through. My daughter is 6yrs old and has begun the same ritual. What was suggested to me by her Pediatrician is to give her a piece of clothing that you wore that day for here to sleep with. So far it seems to be working, the shirt I give my daughter smells like me and it seems that the smell makes her feel more relaxed as if I was really there. Also try using baby powder just decorate the bottle and have her put it on before she goes to bed and it "won't let the monsters see her". These seem to work for my daughter, hope it helps.

I understand your exhaustion. I have a 2 1/2 year old with nighttime fears and a 9 month old who still is not sleeping through the night. I also have to get up and go to work at 5 a.m.
We have tried many things to address the fears. The things that have worked best are: (1) rearranging his room and moving his bed; (2) using the "magic" spray; (3) stringing white Christmas lights in his room, which stay on all night to "keep the bears away"; (4) playing music - he picked out the CD - all night - so he doesn't "hear the sounds"; and (5) discussing with him that the things he's afraid of aren't "real." His fears seem to coincide with a real love of imaginary play. We've had many discussions about the fact that an "imagination" is not real. Also, one night we let him sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor in our room, and after that, he never asked to come in our room again. Maybe just knowing he could do that if he needed to was enough. Lastly, we gave him lots of love and understanding, not judgment. I hope that helps.

Well I hope this doesn't sound dumb...but do you think that using a walkie talkie might help? That way she could just beep you. Maybe play with it during the day and then at night let her know that if she really needs you, to use it to call. Also, if she doesn't have a night light, take her to the store and let her pick one out that she thinks will work in keeping her fears at bay...or a differnt colored bulb might work....maybe she can choose the walkie talkie too?
Good luck!

Going through the same thing right now with my 3 1/2 year old. What seems to be working (for now) is each night she picks out one stuffed animal and I put it on a chair next to her door. After her nighttime story and the lights are off, I stay for 5-10 minutes and then leave but I tell her that before I go to bed I'll check in on her, and I'll move the animal back to her bed at that time. Somehow being able to see the "proof" (the moved animal) that I'm checking on her during the night is comforting enough. Good luck!

I have 3 boys I have found that a night light worked with two of them and for the third I had to play a video or cd of soothing music, that was continuous it always seem to comfort him until he was asleep and if he woke up he would hear the music and go back to sleep. Hope this might help
K. T.

What about giving your daughter a flash light?? And does she have a night light????

I don't have much to offer in the way of advice on this topic- just offering you my empathy. I have 2 little girls (14 months and 3 1/2) and I understand what you are dealing with because 6 months ago I was right where you are. I look forward to reading the replies you get.
I also suspect that like it was in my daughter's case- this is a surefire way to get your attention off the baby and back on her... it does get a little better with time.
Good Luck!

Hi B.,

You might try Jesus. DO you have a church home? May I suggest Southeast Christian Church on Jordan Road in Parker?

I have told my children at an early age that Jesus watches over them, that He has His angels around them to protect them.

You might try this prayer with your little one, please tell me if you don't see peace come over them.

Lord, I ask you to please watch over my children, and that you would place a "hedge of protection" around them and "give your angels charge over them"...I also pray dear Lord for "traveling mercies" wherever we go, in Jesus Name...Amen.

Children need to know that God loves them as much as their mommy and daddy does, and that He is their protector, and best friend in times of need...

Blessings on you and your children..
C.

Have you tried soothing soft music? Just an idea.
Some how music can fill the empty places in our minds,
perhaps this may help.