NC as feel so guilty. DH bought 3 pack Ronald Dahl dvds as Charlie & Choc Factory was one. I stupidly let my DCs, 5&7 watch one of the others which was a PG, with their older 10,12 cousins. I said tell me if you don't like it and went in a couple of times to ask if they were ok, they said they were. Parents were catching up nearby but not watching it. My Dcs weren't ok a couple of days later and have mentioned being scared at bedtime most nights since. This was 3 weeks ago. Looking for tips on how to handle and reassure them.
I've tried " they are not real, but if you still think about them blow on your dream catcher, use this (empty) water pistol to stop the thoughts"
I've tried " try and think of nice things you did today e.g. X,y,z /will do at weekend and the nice thoughts stop the other ones"
I asked if they wanted to Draw them which they did enthusiastically
I've tried " scary bits in films are tricks and managed to make them laugh by putting a jumper on a chair and standing behind then ducking to show how the heads came off(I know I feel terrible)"
I filmed them and replayed on the iPad trying to make things disappear which they laughed at
They still say they are scared at bedtime, I try to reassure them. The youngest is sometimes is asking to hold my hand to go to the loo before bed which they didn't do before and school have said same dc is being silly in class and disrupting the others. This could just be the new term, but I'm really worried that i should be doing more or something else to help them.
I know I shouldn't have let them watch it and given in to the nagging and it is completely my fault, but I can't turn the clock back and would really appreciate any advice you have on how to tackle it. I don't want to keep reminding them of it and I'd love them to forget it but I need them to be able to get it out and for me to help thank you