Kids Who Are Afraid of the Dark - How to Help Ease Your Child's Fears

Most adults can remember a time during childhood when they were afraid of the dark, and this isn't out of the ordinary. Very young kids aren't usually afraid of the dark because they haven't been exposed to stories and television programs about monsters and other things that go bump in the night, but older kids are often affected. If your kids are afraid of the dark, you can help them overcome this fear with the following advice and tips from a mother of five kids who at one time were all afraid of the dark.

Paint it Light

A dark room isn't nearly as dark if it's painted or papered in lighter colors. Give your kids who are afraid of the dark a room that's light in color instead of a room that's dark, dreary, and potentially scary. Even a dark paneled room can be painted lighter colors when the surface is primed, and it can also be covered in wallpaper. No matter what the walls are comprised of, they can be lightened and brightened to help give your kids a sense of wellbeing in their personal space for sleeping, playing, and relaxing.

Room Décor

Choose room décor carefully when your kids are afraid of the dark. For example, your little boy might love dragons, and your little girl might love Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs during the day, but the same characters they love during the day can become intimidating or even scary at night. In a child's mind, the dragons that appeared friendly during the day might spark the imagination into creating scary fire-breathing creatures that just might be hiding under the bed. The story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs included a wicked witch, and a child's imagination can run wild once the lights go out.

Sources of Comfort