Monsters

[Summertime Mommy]

My 3yr old ds has been waking up every night crying for me. When I go in his room, he says that he is scared, and that he hears "monsters." I hnestly don't know where he is getting this from. I am a SAHM and I monitor any tv time he has. He told me the other day that his bio dad lets him watch scary movies, but I honestly sn't think that is likely. (Although I am going to speak to him about it.) Anyway, do you know of any way to help him get over his fears? I told him to hug his Stitch (toy he sleeps with) really tight and he will be okay, but that isn't working. I don't know how to make him feel more secure. Any ideas?

[Momma's Arms]

Well, let him have a night light. You could do a monster check before bed. Let him look under the bed, in the closet, behind the curtain- whereever they may be lurking. Then let him check the locks to ensure that none are coming in. There is a veggie tales video called "Where is God when I am scared" that addresses this issue. It might help your child.

[spero]

I second the nightlight (you could let him pick one out himself) and the VT video - that is, if you don't mind a Christian POV

My 3-yo DD has been obessed with the idea lately that there are "little monsters" under her bed. I tell her that there is a sign on the door, that only monsters can see, that says "NO MONSTERS ALLOWED". I check under the bed for her and verbally reiterate that I don't allow monsters in my house (b/c they are too messy ).

[EnviroBecca]

I would not get a night-light unless he is scared of the DARK. When I was little, I always had a night-light, and it actually increased my fears of monsters because it made big shadows in which I could see all kinds of scary things.

Definitely ask his dad about the scary movies. Maybe he doesn't realize they are scary to a 3yo!

Ask your son what he thinks the monsters are scared of. If he can't think of anything, be prepared with a suggestion: "I read in the newspaper that monsters are afraid of big spiders. We can get a big plastic spider at the store and put it next to your bed, and that will keep the monsters from getting near you." This worked wonders for my brother, whose spider slept on his pillow for years! :LOL Another idea is to get a pump bottle of hairspray and label it Monster Repellent and let him spray his room at bedtime.

Ask him to tell you about the monsters or draw a picture of them. That might give you some insight into where they came from.

Good luck ridding your home of troublesome monsters!

[sparrow]

i read about a ritual in a pagan book that might go over well- and could really be adapted by anyone...

my ds & i went outside & got some sticks & then he picked out colors from my yarn scraps & we made a god's eye. we actually made one for each window i the house, & invoked into them the energy that the god's eyes are keeping watch out for anything scary. Now he's cool at night about monsters, as long as he sees the god's eye hanging in the window.

he has recently become fearful of the dark though. i took inspiration from harry potter & made his nighttime glass of water the 'magic potion' that makes the fear go away, and he says it works.

[beanma]

instead of a night light, maybe a flash light that he can turn on and off himself to make sure the monsters are gone.

hth

[LunaMom]

Great suggestions above - the "monster spray" has worked for a lot of kids I know. I love the spider idea, too!

Here's another one: Get your son superhero pajamas. This worked like a charm for a friend, who told her son that no monster in his right mind would mess with Buzz Lightyear!!! Worked like a charm - he just has lots and lots of Buzz Lightyear pj's now!

[Suzannah]

I second the Monster Spray, but instead of hairspray use a clean plastic bottle and put some yummy-smelling essential oil in it. Serves two purposes!! (and if it is orange or some other bug-repellent scent, serves 3!!)