4yo scared of people dressed up...and here comes christmas

[MonkeysTypewriter]

DS has just turned 4. He has pretty much always been scared of people dressed up in big costumes, and last year was absolutely terrified of father christmas - if he saw him he would scream and climb up me, sob etc. It made going to any shopping centre or garden centre a trial as he would be looking out for him the whole time.

I had hoped he would be over it by now, but no, we came across Mickey Mouse when we were in town yesterday and it was a slightly watered down version of the above. I have spoken to him about it only being someone dressed up, like when he wears a fireman hat or puts on a toy mask etc, but it doesn't seem to work.

I would appreciate any tips to get us through the festive season.... thanks!

No advice but watching with interest - same issue here!

I have no experience of this I'm afraid. Does he like dressing up himself? Might it help if he dressed up knowing he's playing the same game as father Christmas?

Well it is scary - if I was confronted with a massive thing like that!

Just comfort him and ask him how he feels (he'll say scared) then ask him what is he scared of. Don't laugh at his fears, just listen. Act confident around these dressed up characters but don't force him to interact.

Give him a chance to talk about it - my ds, who's 4, will ask me "why was I scared/sad" about something which is his way of wanting to talk about it and I can then explain matter of factly what the "thing" is. It helps him to work it out and in time he gets over the thing!