2yr old scared of everything?

[llynnnn]

dd is 2.5 and is suddenly scared of everything. she hates the dark, shadows, the hoover, keeps saying things are going to get her, wont go to people she doesnt know, ie wouldnt go see santa, wouldnt get her hair cut at the hairdressers, screams going into nursery etc etc etc.

this has been gradually getting worse over the last few weeks. i started by reasurring her that we were there and theres nothing to be scared off, but it doesnt seem to be helping. she used to be really good at going to bed in the evenig now she cries and cries when we leave the room as she says she is scared. we've tried a nightlight so shes not in the dark but then she could see shadows and got scared of them too!!

I'm hopeful that this is just a phase but how can we help her through it? any hints VERY much appreciated!

She sounds very sensitive bless her. DD went through a phase recently when she was terrified of animals in her room. She's also pretty scared of leaving my side, but more clingy than frightened.
I've seen this book recommended on here before.
Hope someone comes along with better answers!

My son (just 3years) has got like this since we changed his bedroom to ours. He won't go upstairs on his own and follows us round the house like a lost dog. He frequently wakes during the night crying and says there's a lady in his room that cries and a man called Mr Beakman (think a guy is called this on bob the builder called this). He previosly slept on his own since 6 weeks all night, so this is getting really annoying and ends up getting in our bed if he wakes during the night. He has even said the lady has scratched him and the man jumps out of the toy box. He's scared of the wardrobe as its see-through. He's always been petrified of the hoover and hairdryer, and now he's sacerd of hand-dryers (only just discovered this now he's just toilets out and about). Soemtimes I feel like getting annoyed with him as its really unjustified fears, but they all seem so real to him. Just hoping its just a phase. Sorry I have no advice, I just keep putting him back to bed and have put a lamp in his room, which seems to have helped a little. Plus, sounds cruel but we have got his stairgate out at times to keep him and use it as a threat (as we noticed he seems to come down more when my dh is off work so thought it was more to stay up late).

forgot to say he makes me turn all his toys and photos round in his room before bed or put them in cupboards as they look at him.

thank you for your replies, sorry to hear your dc are going through this too! i'll have a look at that book jingsjosie

anymore advice anyone?

Be warned, as it goes on for a few years yet. DS(4) v.similar. He's genuinely scared, but we've found also more than capable of being manipulative, so if we take whatever the fear is too seriously next time he mentions it it's grown to get more attention.
Being matter of fact and distraction seems to help. eg: at night I ask him what's wrong, tell him it's okay, give him a hug then say he can have an audio book or some music on if he's quiet. He accepts that and drops off listening (I only ever put on the same story that he knows backwards, so it won't keep him awake as he knows it so well).
Here the current worry is a witch in the loo, so he won't go without us. Really tedious, but I've told him witches can't get in and are only in stories anyway, but I also made up some magic words as bolt and braces. He likes that and it makes him laugh as we shout them on entering the bathroom. I suppose we're acknowledging the fear, but also making it manageable. Seems to work, + surely it passes - can't believe I'll be going to loo with him because of witches when he's 15..

thanks smee, i'll bear that in mind!