spirit in my house frightening my DD...

[hollowhallows]

I have NC for this.

OK, I know some people are going to think I am a crank, but here goes...

I have been aware of a spirit/s in my house since I moved in. In my family we are thought to have 'the sight' and it has been very real to me from the experiences I had growing up and experiences I continue to have. I'm not talking miracles or talking to the other side, just an ability to sense what others cannot, such as aura and spirits etc...

Because I was aware of spirits myself as a child from my own experiences, I was always aware that my children could experience the same thing. I have dealt with having 'the sight' (I don't know what else to call it, I know 'the sight' sounds cheesy) and as I have grown older it has bothered me less and I fear the things I sense a lot less. I hope this is all making sense, I usually keep this to myself

Well now my DD has started to very obviously see something that is frightening her. It is starting to become more frequent and is really upsetting her. It is always in the same place in the lounge and she runs over to me upset, crying and pointing towards whatever it is she can see. She tries to tell me but her speech isn't good enough yet, but her actions and feelings are very clear. Tonight she was so upset by whatever it was that she started crying and covering her eyes so she couldn't see it. I tried to encourage her to show me what it was that was upsetting her in case it wasn't what I thought, but she refuses to even venture to that side of the lounge when this happens. This has been going on for about 6 months but is now becoming more obvious.

I am not religious, I am not overly superstitious, but this is the one thing I genuinely believe in because I have experienced it myself. I have read stories by other MN's about their children telling them they had seen peculiar things so I'm hoping to get some input on how to handle this (and not be mocked in the process). When I sense something myself, I just ignore it. I'm not sure how to handle my DD possibly seeing things that are upsetting her.

[myroomisatip]

I am not quoting him as an authority but there is an interesting bit in his book about an experiment (apparently) carried out on a US soldier, which, if it is true, is pretty astounding.

Again, I don't know how true it is, but apparently Albert Einstein also believed in the Matrix, but called it the 'ether'.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

But the OP has no right to impose her beliefs on her child.

I'm afraid that you are mistaken Curlew. As long as her beliefs are not illegal, she does have that right. Parents have always imposed their beliefs on their DCs, be it explicitly or implicitly.

[technodad]

Correct, I have used the word "nonsense", but not directed at the OP. The word has been used in a completely justifiable way, when comments have been made which are completely unsubstantiated.

Saying that "your DC is probably talking to a ghost child" is as stupid as me watching a pen roll off the desk (seemingly with nothing causing it to move) and saying "it must be a mystic fart from a magical invisible land fish". Both are random guesses, both are unsubstantiated, and neither help work out the real cause. If you are happy with the ghost land fish theory, then fine with me.

You can concentrate on me saying the word "nonsense" if you like, but if you read my posts to the OP, you will see that I provided genuine helpful advice.

If my child, who couldn't speak, suddenly became distressed and inconsolable, I would be far more worried that it might be linked to an illness, or abuse, than ghosts!

Both illness and abuse are not only statistically far far far more likely in the average household thank ghost sightings, but are also real threats rather than imagined threats.

So, please criticise me all you like, not not for being horrible to the OP.

[lottieandmia]

More of the same from technodad . Where do you get off suggesting the Op's child is ill or worse? You've never met her (I presume)

[Spidermama]

Technodad you should toddle off with Ben Godacre and throw stones at homeopaths or something.

Why can't you just understand that some people have different beliefs and experiences. Science is often wrong but you people act like Gods.

If you're so confident in your beliefs why on earth do you have goad others. Rather hypocritical, isn't it, to crash someone else's thread and then go on about people foisting their views on others.

[lottieandmia]

Quite, Spidermama.

[lottieandmia]

Really, the suggestion that you have to wade in and save the OP's dd from her dangerous beliefs comes across as pompous and arrogant. Honestly, do you know how that sounds? I don't agree with people who sympathise with the BNP but I wouldn't take it upon myself to tell them they are wrong to 'indoctrinate' their children. Seeing as it's not actually my business what their parents believe!

[technodad]

Sadly, I think you are only reading half of what I am saying and not really seeing that I was trying to help. Sorry if I have offended anyone.

[IndigoBarbie]

Technodad, I completely understand where you are coming from- I also don't mean to offend anyone.

[VoodooHexDoll]

Group hug

[gamerchick]

backonlybriefly no that was the one.. they both mean the same thing in my head.. sorry I should have not worded it so clumsily.

anyway..so what did you mean then?

[gamerchick]

only one person said ghost child techo dad.. out of interest.. did you have a spooky encounter once which you've been looking for an explanation for and not found yet?

I didn't take you as trying to offend.. I wouldn't have offered to show you my orbs otherwise :)

[VoodooHexDoll]

Careful gamerchic he might offer to show you something in return bet its tiny just saying

[curlew]

"Really, the suggestion that you have to wade in and save the OP's dd from her dangerous beliefs comes across as pompous and arrogant. Honestly, do you know how that sounds? I don't agree with people who sympathise with the BNP but I wouldn't take it upon myself to tell them they are wrong to 'indoctrinate' their children. Seeing as it's not actually my business what their parents believe!"

I think it's important to point out that it is much more likely that the op's child has been frightened by something real than by a "ghost child". Apart from anything else, it's much easier to paint over the image of the green man, and my mother did for me than to organise an exorcism.

[technodad]

Most things I see and hear are fairly easy to explain thanks. Any instance of anything odd, has always enters up being explainable at a later date.

With the exception of my incredibly tiny private parts!...

[technodad]

Curlew - you are completely correct.

The OPs DC might just hate the OP's taste in decoration in that room!

[VoodooHexDoll]

Would you tell a Christian that meds saved her child when she believed it to be God answering her pray?

Would you tell people they are wrong to Christen their children as its forceing their belives on their children?

To tell a pagan that the ghost she sence that up sets her child is not real is the same as doing any of the above.

Its religeous discrimination and rude.

[technodad]

I think you misunderstand the word discrimination. Get a dictionary.

You may think I am rude, maybe I am. That is not illegal.

If a religious friend of mine says "I prayed for got to make my child better and he answered my prayer" I definitely would say "I think the doctors and scientists did it rather than god". That doesn't make me rude, it makes me honest!

If a close friend told me they were christening their child, I might challenge them about whether they should wait until their child can make their own choice.

If someone on a public forum asks for advise about their child being scared, and they think it might be a ghost, I might relay suggesting it might be non-ghost relates.

None of this is discrimination and arguably none of it is particularly rude. What is wrong with any of this???

Why exactly is it mandatory to respect beliefs which are clearly not based upon evidence?

[noblegiraffe]

Religious beliefs should not be protected from criticism, that is a very dangerous road to go down.

You can't simply say "I believe it" and expect that statement to shut down any debate, especially where children are involved.

[gamerchick]

um actually I would say rubbishing somebodys belief that god helped their child and challenging somebody on why they are getting their child christened is pretty rude. Unless you are specifically asked on your opinion on those sorts of things you just nod and button it.

hiding behind 'being honest' is still being rude.

[curlew]

If somebody said that God helped their child, I would smile and say nothing. If somebody said that god cured their child I would have to say something about the dedicated hard working doctors and nurses that actually did the curing.........

[technodad]

I specifically said "if a religious friend of mine...".

So, since a friend of mine would clearly know I was atheist, then surely the fact that they initiates the conversation by saying "god saved my child" must, by your definition, be an affront on my "beliefs".

So, is it one rule for religious people and another for everyone else? Double standards???

[gamerchick]

I don't just apply it to religion.. if i'm asked for my opinion then it's fair dos.. but if somebody was just telling me something in conversation I would keep my opinions to myself. If something brings somebody comfort.. I don't have the right to rubbish it.

my SIL is a bit 'tell it how it is' as if her view of the world is the right one and other people are wrong.. she'll tell you it as if it's gospel.. and is very tiresome to be around.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

Techno are you saying that if your religious friend makes a comment regarding god in their lives they are being insulting to you?

[technodad]

I have the right to be equally as offended by someone saying "god bless you" as a religious person who hears someone claiming there is no god.

What is the difference?