Is Your Child Afraid of the Dark?

Before bedtime each my night my little girls has a ritual. She removes a pile of toys from her room that have ‘scary eyes’. She’s woken up screaming in terror before because she was sure Dora was watching her sleep. She has even put her Wiggles dolls on her step stool to keep her safe at night. As cute as the latter is, I am left wondering if there is anything I can do to help her not be afraid.

Why

Children have very vivid imaginations. When the lights go out things look different. As we grow we learn that the things are exactly the same in the dark as they are in the light but for little ones, this is a challenge. They spend a good deal of their day imagining up all sorts of fantastic things and this doesn’t stop simply because it’s bedtime. They also feel less secure because mom or dad is no longer nearby and can feel very alone in their darkened bedroom.

No matter what you do your child will be faced with stories of the boogieman or they may hear that something is lurking under their bed at night. I spent most of my childhood with my feet tucked up as far as I could get them because I was sure something was going to reach up and grab me. If they don’t see this on television they will hear the stories from their peers in preschool or elementary school.

Traumatic events in a child’s life can also trigger nighttime spookiness. If there is tension in your home due to divorce, death or even a strained financial situation your child could be feeling more vulnerable. This can manifest into an odd-shaped shadow becoming a monster.

What Can I Do?

The most obvious thing to do is to have a nighttime ritual with your child. Children feels secure in a daily ritual and this can help them relax once it is time to go to bed. Be wary of the stories you read to your child at bedtime. Make sure they are upbeat and non-threatening. A warm bath before bedtime is not only soothing but it may help them to drift off to sleep more quickly.