Scary Monsters

5 replies

Enchanted · 08/01/2004 18:55

My 3.5 year old is seeing monsters all over the place. Anytime it's dark he can see them comming out of the lamp shade and everywhere! he won't have any toys in his room with eyes as it freaks him out. he is now sleeping with dp and I because he has become so distressed.
What can we do?

OP posts:

Bron · 08/01/2004 21:23

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pupuce · 08/01/2004 21:34

I just read a book about that "monsters and 3 years old".... the best thing (according to the book - it does make sense) is to talk to your child about the monsters.... NOT dismiss them or not make fun.
What do they look like?
What do they do?
Where are they?
...

As when you speak about the fear it becomes much more manageable.

Angeliz · 08/01/2004 21:38

I second pupuce.
My dd has talked about scary monsters for months and she is a right little drama queen. (So half the time sh'e acting)If you play along and find out about them then it seems less scary.
We have games now where she'll walk away and then scream at the top of her voice about a monster coming for her but i think it's all in jest now. Good luck

Rhubarb · 09/01/2004 13:18

My dd has also been through this stage and she is the same age as yours Enchanted. We made the mistake of letting her watch some of the Grinch as we thought it was a kids film, but we had to turn it off as she was getting really scared. She is now convinced that the Grinch is coming to get her and will not go to the toilet on her own, or even in another room on her own.
The best thing to do is to take the monster out of context and play with it as Pupuce says. We will play Grinch games with her and she will be the Grinch and will frighten us. Then we'll pretend to find the Grinch and eat him up, or throw him out of the window. By turning it into a game it makes it easier for her to deal with and she's slowly coming round.

Momof2 · 09/01/2004 13:31

When dd had her scares about seeing ghosts everywhere dp got his goal-keeping gloves and made them into "ghost-biffing" gloves. ie if a ghost dared to come into the house it was ok as he would biff them and they would disappear. Perhaps you could have a monster zapper or something that makes your house a monster free zone?
(He did have to dance around the house for several nights checking windows and doors wearing the gloves!)

Flip