Is your child afraid of the dark?
Fear of the dark is one of the most common fears among young children.
I was terrified of the dark when I was little and always had to sleep with the light on, or at least the door cracked open.
I know I’m not alone in this, some researchers estimate that nearly 45% of children have an unusually strong fear of some kind.
Fear of the dark is one of the most common fears among kids between 6 and 12 years old.
If your child is nervous about sleeping with the lights turned off, these calming phrases can help to ease their mind and ensure that they get a good night’s sleep.
“How can I help you feel safe?”
It can sometimes be a little too easy as adults to dismiss the fears of our children as silly things but for them, the fear is a very big deal.
When I was a child I suffered from sleep paralysis, so I was bought a dream catcher and told it would catch all my bad dreams. Trusting in the dream catcher made me feel safer falling asleep and eventually put an end to my bad dreams.
My son had a period of suffering from nightmares, so we started a tradition of taking the nightmares out of his head by touching his forehand with our hands before he goes to sleep. Two years on and it still works.
“Let’s investigate.”
Let’s be honest, even as adults most of us still don’t like sticking our leg out of the bed in fear a hand will grab it.
And growing up, many of us were afraid of monsters hiding under the bed or in our closets.
If your child has these same fears, show them that there is nothing to be afraid of by investigating their room with them. Look under the bed, in the closet and behind the curtains and show them they’re safe.
“I’m here, I’ll keep you safe.”
The most reassuring thing that you can do for your child if they are afraid of the dark, is to remind them that you are there. Let them know that you can hear everything during the night and that you will be right by their side if they need you.
Sometimes, giving them something of yours to keep with them during the night can help ease their nerves. Try a jumper or even a soft toy and it could make all the difference.
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