Five things you can do when you child is afraid:

[Snowy]

1. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Be close to them. Just the presence of a parent can be calming.[/size][/font]
2. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Touch them. Holding hands, hugging, rubbing their backs, or any form of reassuring affection helps.[/size][/font]
3. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Speak gently and confidently. Your voice is a point of familiarity and safety, so watch your tone.[/size][/font]
4. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Listen to your children. Let them tell you about their fears, no matter how irrational. Be attentive and patient. Remember, what they say is very important to them.[/size][/font]
5. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Tell them something specific to do. When overwhelmed, taking action helps your children feel that they have power over situations.[/size][/font]

 

[Snowy]

1. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Give him positive focus. When he thinks about things that are good or safe or reassuring, fears don’t seem so big.[/size][/font]
2. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Pray with him. Seeking God’s protection or comfort is something we all need. Remind him that God is always close and He always cares.[/size][/font]
3. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Give your child something familiar. Familiar objects (such as a blanket, photograph, necklace, ring, or stuffed animal) help a child relax.[/size][/font]
4. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Reassure him that there is always a way out. Teach him how to solve problems and figure out what to do. Come up with as many solutions as possible Reassure him that things that seem very frightening now often don’t seem so bad later on.[/size][/font]
5. [font=Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif,sans-serif][size=-1]Remind him that we all have fears. Tell him what frightened you at that age and how you handled it.[/size][/font]

 

[HeatherJay]

Another one that really helps my girls...

Before they go to bed, we pick our dreams. The rules are they can pick up to 3 things they want to dream about. Details are important. This way, just as they're falling asleep, they have nice comforting things to keep their sleepy little minds occupied.

Some of Emily's favorites :

Riding a rainbow colored dolphin through the blue ocean.

Riding a big white horse through a field of blue and pink flowers.

Swimming with the Crush and the sea turtles from Finding Nemo.


I usually ask her lots of questions about the little details (Are there bunnies playing in the field of flowers?, Can the dolphin talk to you?, Where are the sea turtles swimming to?). This way she gets a well formed image of her dream world and it's easier to concentrate on it.


Also, we read lots of stories. And one of our routines, if one of the girls do wake up scared, we read a story to help take her mind off her bad dream.

We also talk about what scared her. Emily once had this terrifying dream of a giant banana chasing her out of her bedroom. Once we talked it out and she told me all about her dream, we just picked something nicer to dream about.

I have no problem with the kids sleeping with me and my hubby. So most times they wake up scared, they end up cuddling with us for the rest of the night.

Love, Heather

 

[desi]

I just tell my kids I'll kick the #$%^! out of any monster that messes with them. They usually seem to take that at face value and go to bed.

 

[pmarquette]

preach the word for them , then with them , untill they can for themselves

It is written " touch not my anointed ones , do my prophets no harm " ;
praise God ; that the angels at the throne of God watch over these little ones ;
that no weapon formed against them shall prosper ; they have resisted the ememy and the word says he has to leave [ from under bed , closet , etc. ] ; I have spoken and believed and the word says the devil cannot touch me [ a little mc hammer - can't touch this - point at them .... do-do -dodo ; can't touch this ...amen ?]

 

[Reformationist]

Snowy, do you have children? This is very good advice. Thank you for sharing.

God bless,
Don