scared of the dark at 3.5

[NightShoe]

DD is 3.5 and she has always been a pretty poor sleeper, which is fine, we have adapted to it and tend to go with the flow somewhat.

However, she is now saying that she is scared of the dark and I'm abit stumped. I have asked her what she is scared of and she says very clearly "the green scary things with the red hair that come out at night and try to chase me and make me cry". Obviously I don't want her to be upset and this is a very real thing to her, but I also don't want to support the idea that the dark is something to be scared of.

What do I do?

a nightlight? a light up toy that she can switch on if required e.g. GloE bear

I'm still scared of the dark

She has got a nightlight, which we did put on, but it doesn't seem to help. It one of those ones which are torches too, but she gets herself in such a state still.

I don't like the dark much either Foosa

Has she seen a film or a book with green scary things in? My Ds did the same about that age - when he had watched Monsters Inc at someones house. Took a long time to persuade him otherwise.

We have a landing light on rather than light in the bedroom - so outside looks light- bedroom door ajar so enough light in room to make it less scary but not too light to sleep.

DS also has a fan in his room, which provides background noise, then he can't hear creaks and noises in the night. Also means we don't have to be quiet when he is going to sleep (original point of it!)

Talk about her fears plenty during the day, when she will find it easier to rationalise them, and before she goes to bed, tell her that she is safe, Mummy is down the corridor, and bear( whatever) is with her ....

Good luck

Thanks jazzandh, I can't think of any green scary monsters but it has been halloween recently so lots of possibility there! I will try the fan as we do have one so that could work. I have just spoken with her about the green scary things and we have decided that her gruffalo toy would be able to scare them away so she is going to take that to bed tonight. Here's hoping!

DS has a dimmer switch so he goes to bed with the main light still on, but not as bright. I don't see any point in making them try and sleep in the dark... hopefully they won't still be doing it when they're at University!