I dread going parties

[ianleeder]

My dd (age 3) hate balloons. She screams and goes goes mental when she's in the same room with balloons (went to a kids party in the past and the bigger kids were popping balloons so the phobia started from there). I dread going parties with her as I know she will hate it. Just been to a party today and there were balloons. She immediately wanted to go home,screamed and kicked up a fuss. Nicely, the mother hid the balloons and I felt really bad to ruin the atmosphere. I have another party to attend next week at a soft play and I'm dreading it already. We tried to helped her to overcome her fear at home and she don't mind blowing balloons or playing at home. She just doesn't like being in the same room with balloons + other kids!

my dd (2.5) fell whilst sitting in our downstairs toilet, she refuses to go toilet there, unless i take her and the lights are on

you know where her fear triggered from. wht i find helps is speaking to her in a calm and controlled voice, as well as comfort when she's done.

how about funny animal shapes you can make with the balloons, as shes ok with balloons at home, i think shes more anxious of the other kids imo

No word of a lie, I actually have a balloon phobia. A grown woman who gets unbearably nervous and has panic attacks when in a room with balloons (or even walking by balloons on the street. I even cringe and start to feel uneasy just thinking about them).
I'm pretty sure that my phobia started in a similar way to your DD's.
I'm sorry to say that I don't have a solution. DH takes our kids to parties and at our kids parties, we use those paper pompoms and bunting to decorate instead.
Really, I hope you find a way to help your DD overcome this. I feel pretty dumb having what I view to be a silly phobia (considering I'm an adult and know that balloons won't hurt me...obviously, kids can't rationalise in this way, which is how the phobia becomes deep rooted).
All the best.

I had a 'party refuser' because he was upset be noise levels generally. I just stopped taking him. He was miserable, I was miserable, it wasn't worth it. Can't you just ask if they'll be balloons and if yes, don't go?

Like nldm1 I also have a phobia of balloons - really can't stand them!

I think it's quite common.

Might it be worth holding off some parties for a while if she gets so distressed and balloons can't be avoided?

Maybe talk to the mum of the soft play one as that may involve less contact with balloons or they may be easy to avoid.

Sorry no suggestions for overcoming - I'm still looking at 27!