My 3 year old has suddenly developed a fear of spiders. It isn't just a fear, she is petrified. She has just wet herself because she refuses to go to the bathroom after seeing one in there. I can't get her to have a bath or shower. She won't walk to any other room for fear of them. I have tried the following:
Ridding all rooms of spiders, both before she enters and also showing her that I'm doing it, talking about how good spiders are and what they eat etc, telling her they won't hurt her, watching videos about spiders, ignoring them all together and trying to distract her...
What else can I do?
I've just had a big ol' cry because I can't help her.
P.S. I wouldn't be surprised if there's more to it as me and her dad separated end of last year, I've just had an operation and she's been staying with her dad more and then we've been at my parents' for the last couple of weeks, however she was like this before my operation at home, so I just don't know.
Any help would be so gratefully received! 🙏