Is there a Boogie Man lurking in your little one’s bedroom?
Scary monsters hiding under the bed, shadows on the wall, and ghosts hiding in the wardrobe are common fears that affect many children at bedtime.
It is completely normal for children to be afraid of imaginary creatures and mysterious bumps in the night, but it’s important to conquer this problem early especially as nightly upsets can disrupt the sleep of siblings and other family members.
Here are 5 ways to send that troublesome Boogie Man on his way for good:
1. Have the chats
Sit down and have a chat with your child about the situation. Ask them to describe exactly what they are frightened of and why. Resist the urge to downplay, dismiss, or belittle their fears. Although monsters seem silly to us grownups, to a child they are a very real possibility. Avoid using phrases like “big boys don’t get scared” as it can make little ones feel like their fear isn’t normal. Instead, tell your child about a time during your childhood when you were afraid of something and how you conquered that fear. This helps them to understand that a) everyone gets scared sometimes, b) it’s perfectly normal, and c) they will survive!
2. Read all about it
Explain to your child that monsters aren’t real and although they do feature in books and on tv they are not in your child’s bedroom or indeed anywhere else. Purchase some light-hearted books about monsters such as the classic There’s a Monster Under My Bed by James Howe, There’s a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer, or my own personal favourite I Need my Monster by Amanda Noll – a book about a boy called Ethan who is looking to hire a new monster to hide under his bed. It is hilarious and will help your child see the humour in an otherwise scary situation.
3. Carry out an official inspection
Do what you have to do; if your smallie asks you inspect the wardrobe or look under the bed for monsters, go ahead. It won’t make the situation worse and they will appreciate you taking their concerns seriously. Keeping a torch beside the bed for ‘official monster inspections’ is worth considering.
4. Ditch Goosebumps
Sometimes even PG movies which seem harmless can influence children’s fears and nightmares. Some of them even terrify me to be honest – I’m looking at you Coraline and Kubo! Proceed with caution and minimise your child’s access to inappropriate TV and movies, particularly before bed.
5. Consider finding Nemo
Pets comfort some children at night and help them to feel that they are not alone. Gold fish are a good idea and are low-maintenance. If your child is afraid of the dark you can purchase light up fish tanks, which ticks both the company and the nightlight boxes.
