bluephinHELP! There's a Monster in my Bed!
September 4th 2006 10:15
Rising from a deep sleep to a child’s distressed cries is frightening – but probably not as frightening as the nightmare the child just had.
It’s quite common for children as young as two to experience nightmares. As adults we often wake up after a nightmare with a rapid heartbeat, clamminess and an uneasy feeling. For children, who don’t understand that what they experienced was a figment of their imagination, the terror is real and paralyzing.
Nightmares for children can be caused by a range of situations, including but not limited too:
• getting lost
• being bullied
• starting school or any change to routine
• fighting amongst loved ones
• illness or death in the family or friends
• exposure to current affairs such as wars etc
• monsters and ghosts
There is a lot you can do to help minimize nightmares; however, it’s unlikely you would be able to completely prevent them for occurring. Here are some ideas to prevent nightmares:
• discuss changes to routine with your child
• when your child is starting school, familiarize them with the grounds and teachers as much as possible and remember to be positive or your apprehension will reflect on you child
• ensure that family arguments or disagreements are kept in check when there are children around. Preferably, do not discuss any contentious issues in front of children
• if a family member is sick be honest with your child, but do not give them to much information, reassure them that you are there for them and do not let the illness be focused on continuously
• if there is a death in the family, do not underestimate the loss your child will feel, it may be necessary to contact a school counselor or psychologist to help talk to your child about their emotions
• limit your child’s exposure to world news, unless they are at an age where they are able to put what they are witnessing into context. Likewise, limit games and DVD’s etc that are focused on conflict
• assure your child that monsters live in their imagination because by searching for monsters under the bed or in cupboards you are portraying that you too believe in monster and that the child’s fears are justified
If your child is woken by a nightmare do not deny them comfort. It may take your child a while to go back to sleep so, if necessary, lay with them and talk to them soothingly. It’s best not to discuss the nightmare in too much detail at this point. A relaxing massage or back rub can help to calm a child, as can gentle stroking on the forehead. Leave a nightlight on if you believe it will help and leave your child’s door open.
If, at any point, the nightmares are occurring regularly or a cause cannot be determined it may be necessary to seek medical advice.
Images taken from www.indigoextra.com and Parenting Press
It’s quite common for children as young as two to experience nightmares. As adults we often wake up after a nightmare with a rapid heartbeat, clamminess and an uneasy feeling. For children, who don’t understand that what they experienced was a figment of their imagination, the terror is real and paralyzing.
• getting lost
• being bullied
• starting school or any change to routine
• fighting amongst loved ones
• illness or death in the family or friends
• exposure to current affairs such as wars etc
• monsters and ghosts
There is a lot you can do to help minimize nightmares; however, it’s unlikely you would be able to completely prevent them for occurring. Here are some ideas to prevent nightmares:
• discuss changes to routine with your child
• when your child is starting school, familiarize them with the grounds and teachers as much as possible and remember to be positive or your apprehension will reflect on you child
• ensure that family arguments or disagreements are kept in check when there are children around. Preferably, do not discuss any contentious issues in front of children
• if a family member is sick be honest with your child, but do not give them to much information, reassure them that you are there for them and do not let the illness be focused on continuously
• limit your child’s exposure to world news, unless they are at an age where they are able to put what they are witnessing into context. Likewise, limit games and DVD’s etc that are focused on conflict
• assure your child that monsters live in their imagination because by searching for monsters under the bed or in cupboards you are portraying that you too believe in monster and that the child’s fears are justified
If your child is woken by a nightmare do not deny them comfort. It may take your child a while to go back to sleep so, if necessary, lay with them and talk to them soothingly. It’s best not to discuss the nightmare in too much detail at this point. A relaxing massage or back rub can help to calm a child, as can gentle stroking on the forehead. Leave a nightlight on if you believe it will help and leave your child’s door open.
If, at any point, the nightmares are occurring regularly or a cause cannot be determined it may be necessary to seek medical advice.
Images taken from www.indigoextra.com and Parenting Press
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Comment by Cinico
Small Business Scope
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Do you yourself have nightmares very often?
Because I haven't had a nightmare for as long as I can remember. I've had dreams where I'm battling vampires, etc., but never a dream that terrified me. I don't know why this is.
In a twisted way I wish I could have a nightmare again, just to feel what it's like, just to be that vividly put in touch with my unconsciousness.
I find the whole topic of dreams fascinating -- nightmares and night terrors, but also good dreams, prophetic dreams, lucid dreams, causation of dreams, interpretation of dreams...
Comment by Cinico
Small Business Scope
Thanks for dropping in! Yep, I have nightmares - they're usually about something that's been playing on my mind for a while. I tend to have a very overactive imagination so when I'm sleeping all sorts of things run through my head, but it's where I get a lot of my story ideas.
I suppose for adults, a nightmare would probably lose it's impact on our emotions as we get older as we know that they are unrealistic eg. your dream of battling vampires (unless you've actually done that sort of thing before?)
I find interpretation of dreams fascinating too - though if anyone tried to interpret mine they'd probably put me in the loony bin.
Comment by Angry Little Doll
But seriously, there is nothing worse than hearing those cries in the night - especially when the child hasn't quite woken up.
Comment by Cinico
Small Business Scope
Thanks for your comment! It is hard to know what is best way to handle this kind of situation, especially when everyone has an opinion. I believe it's all about working out what's right for you and your child, so maybe try the tips above and if they work great! If not, let me know and I'll pass on some more ideas if you want.
Comment by Jas
Stories: Put Them in Your Brain
Food, Wine and Coffee
One Planet
Comment by Cinico
Small Business Scope