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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

DS and his peacock phobia...

9 replies

ReshapeWhileDamp · 04/05/2010 08:39

DS (2.2) seems to have developed a deep fear of ... peacocks! It started last summer, when we went on several trips to a local arboretum (yes, we is pretentious! ) where they have about a dozen of the things. He decided he didn't like the way they stalked round the picnic blanket (after the food) and he certainly didn't like their shrieky screams! I thought he'd forgotten, but we went back there a few days ago and it was the same problem. He launches himself into my arms, crying, if he so much as glimpses one in the undergrowth, and if they get much closer, or call loudly, he's in hysterics.

He's been talking about them non-stop too. Before we went to the arboretum, he clearly remembered it as the 'peacock place' because he was psyching himself up, saying 'Peacock nice' and 'peacock good' and even 'love peacocks' but once he saw them it was a different story. We've told him they just talk very loudly to their friends and that they're not scary, but he is obsessed now and talks about them in the house. We say that mummy and daddy won't let them in the house. This morning, he was watching Tinga Tinga Tales and suddenly burst into tears because the peacock character had appeared on screen!

I want to nip this in the bud (aside from anything else, the arboretum is a lovely place to go with children and we're looking forward to picnics there this summer). How do I do this?

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SuziKettles · 04/05/2010 08:44

Tbh, for now I'd leave it. Let's face it - a fear of peacocks is pretty easy to manage as these things go. Lots of places you can go where there are no peacocks!

Ds who's about a year older would also be freaked out by screaming birds stalking round him. He hates noise like that.

He'll more than likely grow out of it but I'm not sure you can force it really.

Original poster

ReshapeWhileDamp · 04/05/2010 08:47

Oh, I know we can avoid them - it's not like he's terrified of pigeons! But I did get a bit worried when I realised he was scared of a cartoon peacock too, and wondered if there was anything I could do to help him overcome his fear.

I suppose they are rather scary...

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 04/05/2010 08:50

I am sure he'll grow out of it, when he is taller than them

SuziKettles · 04/05/2010 08:53

The reaction to the picture is probably just showing that he's still got a really strong memory of being scared. I should imagine that will go as the memory fades a bit.

You could reassure him that he doesn't need to go to see the peacocks if he doesn't want to.

I have to go through a whole rigmarole with hand-driers as ds is scared of these - v annoying. And very embarrassing when every time ds hears someone opening a cubicle door and bellows "the lady's not going to use the hand-dryer is she?".

PacificDogwood · 04/05/2010 08:57

I am afraid I am with Suzi on this one, sorry.
He is v young and there is every chance that in a year or 2 he won't be that bothered anymore. However in the meantime I would avoid the birds, maybe talk about how he does not need to worry about the one on TV etc.
My DS1 at 2 used to freak when a dog on a lead walking beside his owner minding his own business would walk past our house whilst DS1 was inside in the livingroom looking out of the window! It was wearing... but passed eventually. He is still not that keen on dogs but will tolerate them (he is now 7).

If it was me I'd forgo the arboretum for this summer and try again next year.

Original poster

ReshapeWhileDamp · 04/05/2010 10:21

Ok, we'll give the arboretum a miss this summer then, and see what happens next year! Thing is, you can't really predict when you'll see one, if you go to parks or castles or stately homes, etc.

Suzi, DS is also scared of hand-driers but not in the peacock league! I have to reassure him that I'm not going to use one when we go to the loo when out and about.

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BigHairyLeggedSpider · 04/05/2010 14:49

I think he's being very sensible actually. Peacocks are horrible, shouty, ostenacious, pecky, eyeballing, stalking birds of nastiness. They're turkeys with delusions of grandeur and I hate them with a vengance.

{shudder}

southeastastra · 04/05/2010 14:51

there was one on animals do the funniest things last night, it had fallen in love with a petrol station. if you can find it on youtube he'd realise how daft they are

Original poster

ReshapeWhileDamp · 04/05/2010 18:43

at HairySpider!

I love peacocks to look at, but I agree they're not particularly pleasant companions! In fact, I've got a vase of their tail feathers at home because I think they're so beautiful, but luckily DS hasn't yet cottoned on to their provenance!

Will look for the youtube one, but I bet it'll have him diving behind the sofa!

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