DS has developed a MASSIVE balloon phobia, need some tips on getting him over it, please.

[Olihan]

Ds1 is 3.3 and is absolutely TERRIFIED of balloons. It's been getting worse over the last few months, started with him being scared of a couple of balloons popping at the playgroup Christmas party, got worse with each b'day party he went to over the xmas period (all his friends were born Dec/Jan) and by the time we went to the last one at the end of Jan I had to take him home early because he became absolutely hysterical when one popped.

He's now got to the point where he starts crying and screaming if he so much as sees one. We tried to go to Bella Italia for tea tonight (huge traffic jam, couldn't get home after popping out for 1/2 an hour, HAD to eat!) and he started screaming as soon as we got through the door so we left. So we took him into Frankie & Benny's instead and managed to get to our table before he started shrieking. We then spent the whole meal trying to keep him calm, with limited success - the other diners LOVED us, I could tell - but it was a nightmare.

So, any tips or tried and tested methods for getting him over it? He's never going to be able to go anywhere soon. I've tried reassuring him that they can't hurt him, got cross, but the more he realises they may pop the worse he gets. DH is suggesting putting him in a room full of balloons and popping them all to desensitise him (I think he's joking!) but any other suggestions are welcome!

DD3 used to be like this when she was your sons age. She just grew out of it in time.
Your DH@s suggestionis the worse thing you can do.
Try geting him a small helium balloon with his favourite Charoctor on. Let him handle it and show him that it doesn't pop.
In the mean time explain to other people that he really does not like balloons and ask them to keep them away from him.

DS had this for quite a few years and it puzzled me, because he didn't get upset at unexpected loud noises, and he didn't mind loud music or other noisy things like power tools. He's now 19 & told me recently that what freaked him out was knowing that they were going to pop, but not knowing when - he hated fireworks night for the same reason.
He just grew out of it - or tbh I think he may have just grown out of getting upset about it - he still turns his alarm clock off straight away if he wakes before it goes off, because he doesn't like waiting for it to go off.

PMSL FoaLB .
My sister's scared of them too, has been for years, it's the unpredictability of when they go bang, isn't it?

Thanks mumeee, I wasn't going to let dh go ahead with his idea . The helium balloon's a good idea though, will try that.

I'm sure you're right RustyBear, because he's also okay with (most) other loud noises. Hand dryers freak him out and I reckon that's the same thing - he knows they'll start when he near them but doesn't know when.

Can't, one popped at another b'day party!

have you seen tip of the day?

TS&P, have active convos as my homepage so don't get that bit of MN. Will go and look.

FLaLB, ds1 would absolutely hate him .

LOL, mmm, just the thing for a bit of mild hysteria .

pssst FloatingLikeALeadBalloon leave Olihan alone she wants to go to bed but is too polite to say anything!

Thanks TS&P .

Duh, pressed post by accident (how?), was going to add, went for the rude option and turned the 'puter off!

Oh for heaven's sake! I'm supposed to be turning this off so I can make the dcs lunch. It'll be your fault when they're scavenging through the bin in 3 hours time .

I realise this thread is really old by now but I just came across it. Did you ever sort anything out, Olihan? My ds has the same phobia and it has just got really bad and now freaks out just in case there might be balloons somewhere!!! I actually think we need to see a child psychologist about it.