Help! 7 yr old obsessed with ghosts

[EstherP]

Hi
My DS is 7 & 1/2 Over Christmas he went with some friends to see the 3D Christmas Carol film. They also saw an older version of the film at school.
Now at bedtime we have such a problem with him going to bed, he says he's scared and sees ghosts coming out of the walls. He sobs uncontrollably. When he does go to sleep he often then comes into me in the middle of the night.
Even during the day he often won't go to his room on his own (in daylight) He says he's scared.
Is this normal? Will he grow out of it? What I can I do to reassure him?
He has just changed schools and says he hates his new school. Apparently the teacher shouts a lot and calls them 'all lazy children.' He is quite a sensitive soul!
So I'm wondering if this bedtime behaviour is another way of telling me he's unhappy. I feel so guilty. What should I do?
Thank you for reading - I hadn't intended to write so much!

More than likely, bless him. The irrational fear about ghosts might have been exaggerated by his anxiety over the new school but they might still seem very real to him.

I?d speak with the school about how he?s handling the move and see if they can suggest anything to ease the transition. If there?s no improvement in terms of him worrying over the ghosts, it might be worth speaking with your GP.

Forgot to add ? I?d mention to the school what your son says about the teacher calling them lazy children and ask whats going on there.

Sorry to hear about this. Sounds like a bit of an unhappy chap at the moment, but I'm sure he'll settle down eventually. Does he have any friend at his new school that you could invite round to play? I agree with Spannerweb - go and have a quiet word with his teacher. Make it casual and friendly, you're just wondering how he's settling in etc. She may have some pointers for you and she may not be such a dragon as she sounds.

Perhaps you could try story CD's at bedtime (the Horrid Henry ones are really good if he likes that kind of thing), they may take his mind off the ghosts.

Thanks some good ideas here. Just feel at my wits end!

Hi - did a search on ghosts as I am having similar problems. My DD aged 10 watched a Youtube video about ghosts at school (don't ask - I am beyond angry with them for allowing it to happen) and since then she will not sleep in her own bed, and does not like to be left alone at night. I can tell that she is genuinely scared as she offers to give up her most treasured possessions to be allowed to sleep with me. She says she sees faces at windows and in mirrors, and has now started hearing noises in her head. The minute I get up at 6am, even though I think she is asleep, she gets up and goes to get in bed with DH, who is sleeping in her bed. I am concerned on so many levels and at my wits end of how to resolve it. I have spoken to the school nurse but she just suggested strategies for getting her into her own bed, but to me the issue is what is going on inside her head. I watched my first horror film at 13 and was quite traumatised by it so do not watch scary stuff now. Any advice appreciated.