Toddler irrational fears?

[capecath]

My nearly almost 3-year-old is a very social, chatty (he'll chat to everyone and everything), energetic little boy. He also seems to be particularly sensitive, especially to how people are feeling, which I think may be related to this: He seems to be afraid of so many things, which many other toddlers don't seem to be bothered by. Well, some of them seem common, and to have a couple fears, but he just seems to be afraid of them all! Aeroplanes (which he actually loves, but they freak him out when they fly to low), hand dryers in toilets (I know that is a common one), bouncy castles (we almost got him on one recently), bouncy dogs, having his hair washed, having his hair cut, the dentist, the tiniest of little flys, new places (sometimes, especially if busy, small places), loud music and speakers.... DH and I are not afraid of any of these things so cannot be related to our reactions to them.

He also doesn't like the sea. Recently he said "it's coming to get me!" which made things a little clearer... but we just can't seem to get over it.

Any experiences of this? Perhaps I am being paranoid but I just feel that it doesn't seem normal to be afraid of so many things!

My DD 2.4 has many of the same fears, notably tiny flies and the sea (which she liked last month). They seem to come and go, for example she is no longer afraid of the dustpan and brush...

The one which gives me most grief apart from the flies is that she is afraid of wind.

Oh yes, I had one of those!

Ds1 was terrified of dogs, hoovers, men, cars (not being in a car, but cars on the road), hand dryers, helicopters, monsters, giants...

And shops!

Between the age of 2 and 5, it was one battle after another. I literally couldn't take him out to the park without him freezing whenever he was a dog, or a man. Shopping was impossible, because he'd run to the door, screaming and shaking.

He had recurring nightmares. We made posters, changed his room around, wrote a letter to the monsters.

I feel shattered just remembering. I saw HV's, spoke to nursery etc. all said he was just very sensitive, and absorbed all information like a sponge, but was struggling to process it all.

We just tried to keep life as simple as possible, didn't make a fuss, but avoided triggers and didn't make him confront them.

The fears gradually eased off. By the time he started school, he was generally okay, although he has always had issues with certain things and is still sensitive.

(He's 9 now, generally relaxed, happy in himself, becoming more confident by the year, and very bright - thriving at school. As school say, very bright child, but with a few sensitive areas).

Haircuts were always a nightmare - still only let's one man touch him.

hah! Oh yes, I forgot about the wind... sigh

Interesting to hear how your son has overcome most of these things now, and what you said about struggling to process all the information. I do think it is sometimes information overload and over-active imagination!

I know it's tough now, but with any luck, the imagination will spill over into his writing etc when he is older. Our DS is very advanced re: literacy etc.

Does he like Happy Land toys? At 3, DS had imaginary worlds set up all over the house. He moved into Playmobil later.

I'm so glad you wrote this as I don't just feel like its my son now! My ds is 2 yrs, 10 months and has a fear of all the things you've described plus more! The latest is leaving the car in a car park! Bless them! I'm sure they grow out of it, at least I hope they do!