Any advice concerning nightmares/ fear of monsters?

[fizzpops]

2 yo (not mine) who is suddenly frightened of 'monsters', even during the day?

Is this a sleep issue or a natural stage in development?

Has anyone had any experience of this and have any tips to try and dispel these fears?

There is nothing sinister going on in the child's home life but they are of a sensitive disposition. As far as I know no changes to carers/ diet/ routine etc.

[KnickKnack]

I think a normal part of growing up for lots of children.

Could try this
Anti-monster spray (its just lavender water), my DD is very taken by the idea

[KnickKnack]

the picture enlarges better on this link

[fizzpops]

Thanks for that suggestion, at the moment Daddy is scaring the monsters away but perhaps something more powerful than Daddy is required!

[frustratedmom]

read monster in my mail box. their solution to monster is to spray them with water to turn them into flies. sorted my boy out now he hunts out flies to kill the monster. plus its a nice story.

[fizzpops]

Thanks, that sounds great. I will pass that one on.

[KnickKnack]

We got the monster spray today. DD is chuffed to bits, has sprayed everywhere in the room where monsters might lurk. It smells lovely too.
Will report back tomorrow!!

She did ask where we would get more when it runs out, and I told her we'd buy another bottle...in reality I'll refill the bottle with lavender/drop of alcohol/water

[Lubyloo]

My DD kept complaining that there was a monster living under her bed. No amount of crawling around under her bed would persuade her that there wasn't really one there. I bought a cuddly, cute looking monster and put that under her bed. Next time she was scared I went under the bed and "found" the monster. She now goes to sleep cuddling the "good" monster as he keeps away the nasty ones!

[princessdaisyboo]

my dd who is 3 and a half has been through a few phases of nightmares and being scared of monsters since around 2 years old, she has a lamp on all night in her room (if i sneak in and turn it off she wakes up!) and we have a dream catcher on the window to keep all bad dreams out. will deffinatly try the monster spray next time !

[fizzpops]

Thanks for all your advice. I think it is down to a lot of imaginative little ones.

[JackBauerKillsPigs]

I love that monster water! Will have to make some for DD1 if her nightmares come back (not paying £5 for it)

What did work for her was a big sign that said No Noo-noo's (from teletubbies) with a red cross through a picture of him from a magazine. This had to go at the foot of ehr bed, and even now goes down the side of her bed so she can get it out if she wants to.

[Steaknife]

You could also try anidhtmare journal

[Stayingsunnygirl]

My mum has a toy lion that was hers when she was little. As little girls, if dsis or I had a bad dream, we'd be allowed to have the lion for the rest of the night - it always worked.

Mind you - I love the idea of a monster spray - that's brilliant!!

[KnickKnack]

Well I can report back that it was a resounding success.
There were, and I quote "no monsters in my room all night long "

More than the fact that it was lavender water, I think it was the packaging/label...it definitely does what it says on the tin, and is worded in the most kid appealing way. Theres lots of blurb on the back too, created by a kid in London etc.
Was well worth the money for her peace of mind

[Milsy]

Thanks for the monster water tip. I'm going to try that with my three year old