2 year old is scared of the bell!

[Naz110]

Hey people,

So I just wanted to share something with you guys and if anyone else's child does the same and how you tackle it.

So my DD is 2 years old coming onto 3. She has lots of cousins who she sees everyday as most of them live down the road.
However she is absolutely frightened of someone knocking on the door to the point she hides behind the curtains or the dining table.
So as soon as she hears the doorbell she will get startled and run to safety. She will not come out until she knows its ok.

Overall she is a happy child, very talkative, outgoing and has lots of interaction with other kids.

Because she is too young she can't answer why she is scared. I have taken her to the door with me to show her 'oh its so and so'.
But she is still very very scared. I have told her she is strong but I feel this isn't the right way because I'm ignoring how she feels.

Any advise.

Have you tried a different tone for the doorbell if you can change it?

My son suddenly started getting freaked out at the doorbell - I think it was partly cause it the tone of it would shock him if he was concentrating on playing

We changed it to more of a 'tune' instead of a 'ding' and he's back to not caring - even races to the door.

Sound simple but loud noises can be jarring for littles

You’re overthinking this. When the doorbell rings, just say “oh, I wonder who that can be?” and make it into a game. “Is it an elephant with a long wavy trunk? Is it a cute little bunny with a fluffy tale?”, etc,. Also, whenever you come back from being out somewhere, lift her up so she can ring the bell. Just normalise it.

Get her to choose a new doorbell and tune, let her try a few so she feels comfortable with it

She’ll be perfectly suited to post on MN in future, given the number of adults here who seem to have similar fears!

It might just be fear of the unknown coupled with the noise. I know a little one who was terrified of Alexa at the same age because she didn’t know where the voice was coming from. A few years later she loves asking it things.

They have videos on you tube that play door bells and knocks - more aimed at desensitising dogs and cats but I guess you could use them to get your child used to it as well

She's frightened of the noise, not the potential visitor factor!

New doorbell tone required

🤣 glad I'm not the only one who immediately thought this😆 change the tune on it op, or turn the volume down

^This

How about playing games where she rings the doorbell and realises what the link is? Ditto making a point of ringing the bell whenever you visit people and also when you get home - make it her fun job.

Could this be a hangover from Halloween? Maybe reverse engineer that - dhe could answer the door with treats for callers and her so it becomes an exciting thing when the doorbell goes!? If its not suitable to hand over treats just let her have one!