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Once you have a clear picture of what
monster looks like, take your child’s hand, turn on lights, and find a squirt bottle of water. Give it to your child and then together go to where bad monster lives and have your child squirt monster. If it’s a good monster, have your child take monster a treat, toy, pillow, or blanket.
It’s okay, Daddy got rid of monster – This prevents your child from learning how to properly deal with their fears and creates some mistrust. Your child senses your disbelief in their story and because they did not witness actual action to eliminate monster, their fear of unknown is intensified.
Tell your child to go back to bed – This level of fear is probable simplest one to overcome. The mere fact that they are at your bedside indicates that their body is not a stiff board and they were brave enough to walk to your room.
Begin by asking what woke them up. Listen closely to their answer and then tell them how proud you are of them for being brave enough to come to your room. For example, “Daddy, there’s a big monster under my bed.” “Son, I’m extremely proud that your were brave enough to get out of bed to come and tell me about big monster under your bed. Let’s go meet and destroy this big monster together.”
As you are walking to his bedroom hand in hand, continue asking questions about monster while turning on lights as you go. Find a flashlight that your child can use to look in other dark places and squirt bottle of water to spray monster under bed.
Putting your child to bed in your room instead of theirs - This prolongs issue and sooner you gentle guide your child to deal with their nightmare, sooner you will all get a good nights sleep.
Establish a bedtime ritual by following 3-steps below. This consistency will foster a safety net for your child and children feel secure when they know what to expect. 1.Give your child a flashlight to check under bed, behind dresser, and in closet for any monsters. 2.Turn bedroom light off and turn hallway or bathroom light on. This will show your child that nightlight, hallway, or bathroom’s light bulb is not burned out. 3.Then play listening game as two of you cuddle on their bed and discuss sounds you are both hearing.
Nightmares don’t have to be culprit for stealing your child’s security, interrupting their imagination, or precious families sleep time. Playfully helping your child to deal with their fears of going to bed can be fun, exciting and challenging. You will gain a peace of mind to lovingly tuck your child into bed, kiss them goodnight, and wish them ‘Sweet Dreams’ and they will wake up morning to tell you all about their sweet dreams using their creative imagination.
Vicki Durr publishes “Down Home News” a free newsletter that provides parenting tips and activities designed to bring families together through nurturing play. Subscribe at her Website at http://www.seasonedhearts.com and you are automatically entered in Family Vacation Sweepstakes. Contact her at 303-725-7097 or mail to: requests@seasonedhearts.com
I come from a family of 8 siblings, have been married for 26 years, raised two healthy girls, and have been actively involved in the raising of numerous children.
