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SN children

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Original poster

Ideas needed for days out with ds who is scared of EVERYTHING!

22 replies

Chocol8 · 30/08/2005 00:10

Yesterday ds was given some Yu-gi-oh cards and was nearly crying as one of the characters had bandages on like a mummy. He is terrified of Egyptian things, yet facinated at the same time and this is usually what gives him nightmares and disturbs his sleep most nights. Although Scooby Doo is to blame for this as he thinks mummies all walk around going arrgghhh, with their arms raised in front of them.

Today we went to a Butterfly park - and he was scared of them too. Spiders and wasps are also very scarey to him and there were plenty of those there (although i'm not too keen either).

I was thinking about taking him to the Science Museum tomorrow, but nearly every one of the exhibits would scare him and give him nightmares.

Does anyone have a recommendation of somewhere they have been that wouldn't be frightening please? It would also help if the place wasn't too busy as he can lose it in crowded places sometimes.

Thank you. x

OP posts:

sparklymieow · 30/08/2005 00:26

Are you in London?? What about the fish place??

sparklymieow · 30/08/2005 00:29

look here

vickitiredmum · 30/08/2005 00:37

What about an indoor playground????

Hattie05 · 30/08/2005 00:40

How old is your son?

I do find my dd often will enjoy a day out to the seaside, or an open park where she can run and run far more than expensive trips to busy places such as you describe.

We have been to the Aquarium and it is good there, but quite expensive. It has a very dark and calming atmosphere and i'd imagine even at its busiest moments it wouldn't appear to crowded iykwim.
Possibly not good if your son doesn't like feeling confined though? Would imagine people with claustrophobia would not enjoy it there, would you agree sparlymieow?

sparklymieow · 30/08/2005 00:50

I love the london Aquarium, it is very calming, but can feel closed in.

Jimjams · 30/08/2005 08:50

ds1 lost it in the lodon aquarium. the eye was closed and it was very busy. He ended up lying on the floor looking at the bumpy rubber floor tiles whilst everyone fell over him. It's also very dark in there imo. he did however love yo sushi around the corner- watching the coveyor belt and the robot go round and round (he was 2 at the time). how about the planes on the top floor of the science museum- usually quite quiet up there.

Original poster

Chocol8 · 30/08/2005 09:03

I just had a look at the link Sparkly, thanks. It looks great but will have to avoid the talks about sharks of which there are a few, it would just completely send him over the edge. I would have to include "no sharks will come and eat you" in the nightly ritual of calming him down enough to sleep and the list is already soooo long!

There was even a kids free ticket which I printed out! The great thing is his childminder has a massive fresh water aquarium which fascinates him, so hopefully this will set his mind at rest...although he may want a goldfish for his birthday!

Oh Jimjams - I'm hoping that ds doesn't lose it in there like your ds did! lol at yo sushi!

Thanks for the recommendation, if he doesn't cope well we can always go to Waterloo station as his old obsession of trains will be satisfied no doubt. I'll let you know how we get on - wish me luck!

OP posts:

Jimjams · 30/08/2005 09:06

it was very busy when we went. apart from one visit (with ms school) when he refused to go in he's always liked our local aquarium.

Tiggiwinkle · 30/08/2005 09:20

My DS also hated the London Aquarium. He was terrified of the sharks and stood looking at the wall. His fear was overwhelming and spoiled the visit (he is 6 with AS).
It is difficult to avoid the shark exhibit as it is absolutely huge and if I remember rightly spans the entire 3 floors?

Original poster

Chocol8 · 30/08/2005 09:28

Oh sh*te, i've told him we're going now! His response was "at last, something good!". Grrrr! we've had a great summer holiday!

OP posts:

maddiemo · 30/08/2005 11:10

My ds managed about an hour in the aquarium. We got there as it opened and it was bearable for the first hour. We saw about half of the display and I did think it was a lot of money for what it was.
The shark tank does span all floors and it is daark and hot.

I would think any museum would be packed, the last time we went (about 7 years ago) it was a free for all mass of kids jostling each other.

My ds enjoys short train rides and the DLR. We have also done some seaside trips and a Mencap quiet lights on cinema trip. Is there anything like this where you are?

Original poster

Chocol8 · 30/08/2005 18:37

Well, we survived the visit - just! When I told him there were sharks there, he made himself shake so I said "if you're scared, we won't be able to go then". He promised he wouldn't be (strangely he wasn't, but he has yet to go to bed).

It wasn't too busy tbh, but all the time he was shouting (he doesn't do quiet) "Mum, look at the size of THIS fish!". I must have heard it about a hundred times in there.

Afterwards we went to Tower Bridge and looked at the boats moored there and then he wanted to go over the bridge which we did and found out about it along the way. Got some great photos.

But, it has reminded me that trips out with ds are like trips to Ikea - so stressful and wearing that you leave it about 3 months until you forget how bad it was before you attempt it again.

OP posts:

sis · 30/08/2005 18:43

Chocol8, I am glad you all survived and had a good time! I am thinking of taking ds to see tower bridge being raised tomorrow at 2.45pm - as he, like your ds, is scared of so many things! Come to think of it, he hated both his visits to the London Aquarium too!

Original poster

Chocol8 · 30/08/2005 18:55

Oh, Sis I didn't know that London Bridge is still raised - I told ds it isn't anymore. Will tell him later. Hope you have a good day tomorrow.

OP posts:

maddiemo · 30/08/2005 19:07

Glad he enjoyed it. I know the Ikea feeling only too well

happymerryberries · 30/08/2005 19:11

Know what you mean about Ikea, whenever we go there ds (who is NT and has no excuse! ) just glazes over. Following Watership Down we call it going Tharn!!! I swear that is how they manage to sell so much stuff, we all just turn into automitons!

Littlefish · 30/08/2005 19:35

Have you ever been to the Museum of Childhood in East London?

Click here

Davros · 30/08/2005 20:07

Do you mean Tower Bridge? Its raised regularly, they have a schedule on their website. Glad the trip went OK. go on, give him a goldfish for his birthday..... with chips

Original poster

Chocol8 · 30/08/2005 20:11

Ooh Davros - you scallywag! Was thinking about getting a young cat (not a kitten) but am unsure at the moment...be a bit like looking after 2 children!

I always liken ds to an oversized puppy - all long limbed and bouncy and eager...ds's consultant reckoned that was a good description.

Urghhh, Ikea!

OP posts:

Davros · 30/08/2005 20:20

A pet might be good for him or it might be a pain for you!

sis · 30/08/2005 20:26

yes, as Davros said, the raising times are on the tower bridge website which I found by accident today.

Original poster

Chocol8 · 30/08/2005 20:27

Both! A cat would certainly calm me and him, but it's the smell of food and poo which puts me off - i'm just an oversensitive veggie, me.

OP posts:

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