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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To now be worried about this?

31 replies

NillyFrickers · 16/04/2020 16:59

My DD is turning 2 next week, today she has suddenly started gettin freaked out about spiders... But there are no spiders around.
It started this morning after breakfast, she said "scared of spider" out of nowhere, I asked where is the spider and she just said "scared" I had a look around and couldn't find anything, so we went for a shower.
In the shower shebwas stood near the plug hole and then got a fright again and said spider! I said there was no spider and then she looked and she was fine.
Went out for our daily walk, and anything that was on the floor and blew with the wind she got a really big fright and wanted to be picked up. Any weeds she got a fright from too, saying they were spiders. Also the gaps in the pavement she suddenly got scared of, where the slabs meet.
It's come out of nowhere and when I've googled it it says that other people had kids who did this and they were diagnosed as schizophrenic or had other mental health issues or PTSD etc even as young as 3.
Now I'm really upset and scared. Have I done something wrong as a parent? Is this actually right? Is it normal for kids to have fears unexpectedly? I'm so worried now that I've been a shit parent. Her dad left when she was 6 months but was never around much anyway during that time anyway, so everything is on me. And these Google results have made me feel so shit

Please tell me your toddler's had the same issues and were fine.
Generally she's a very happy smiley little girl.

OP posts:
Snaketime · 16/04/2020 20:17

Also does she watch Paw Patrol? Rubble in that is scared of spiders. I am terrified of them, my DD is scared of them also, but that is my fault,I tried really hard not to pass my fear on until I saw a massive one when she was 3, in the house on my own with her, freaked out and called my DF to come and put it outside.

BrowncoatWaffles · 16/04/2020 21:28

My DD developed a fear of spiders after Peppa Chuffing Pig did an episode where she was scared of them. It drove me nuts because I'd deliberately acted chilled out about them (despite not liking them much!). Could your DD have seen something like that?

BrowncoatWaffles · 16/04/2020 21:29

Just refreshed and saw your update about Mr Skinnylegs. Just ignore me, sorry!

Croprotationinthe14thcentury · 16/04/2020 21:38

My dd was terrified of ladybirds and hand dryers when she was 2. She quickly grew out of it. I wouldn't worry op.

recklessruby · 16/04/2020 21:44

Its normal to be scared of odd things as a child.
I was scared of polo neck jumpers as a kid in the 70s.
Ds was scared of the dark, shapes and shadows on the wall and some silly monster on an advert.
Dd was terrified of chairs (that was fun)
Daddy long legs, "buzzies" (any flying insect) and spiders.
I m fine with spiders so i think my phobic mum accidentally infected her with that one.
None of us are schizophrenic and the only fear remaining is spiders. I give up as she s 26 now so still not over that one.
I still have a little panic in my head over downward escalators but force myself on them.
Dont worry, we humans are pretty irrational at times.
Oh and dont google. Google is definitely something to be scared of. Smile

WonderWebbs · 16/04/2020 22:37

Mine was scared of worms when younger, complete nightmare going for a walk after it had rained. She is now a teenager and is happy to hold a snake, at the zoo, but still dislikes worms!

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