DD scared to got o bed, bad dreams Help asap!

[onefunkymama]

Hi

my 5 yr old dd is too scared to go to bed - she's been having nightmares. Anyone got any helpful ideas how to reassure her? Thanks

Try a nice story book before bed and change the characters names to hers. i.s Princess xxxx went to find prince charming. Also leave a nice cd playing in the background and leave a lamp on in her room. I also told my kids that monsters etc only lived in Story books and disney films. I once heard them repeat this to a friend who was talking about monsters. hth and if not I am sure someone else will be along soon.

I had the same problem about 6 mths ago with my DD1. I bought a dream catcher and explained how it worked. She was thrilled with the 'magic' of it and hasn't had any problems sleeping since then! And it looks very pretty in her room.

My dd (4) is scared of the dark at the moment; we tell her "what scares away the dark?.... the light" so she can take control of what she is scared of by scaring it away herself, just by turning on her bedside light.
Check the room together for monsters at bedtime
Turn out the light and look at the shadows and get her to tell you what each shadow is.

Get her to choose a new cuddly toy that will look after her when she is asleep

Thankyou all for your help, will give them a try.