Acared of monsters, ghosts & shadows

Clued Up - posted on 11/24/2012

Hi Caron, I know it's been three years since you last posted this, but hopefully someone else reads my message. First off, be very careful with what you allow you and your children to watch on TV. Certain shows, movies and even music give demons (ghosts) legal access to come into your home. You can laugh at this, but it's very true.



The ONLY way to keep demons away is getting right with God. Nothing else will keep them away like the power of Jesus Christ. Flashlights and what not will NEVER keep them away. I feel for your poor children. Not trying to sound mean, but seriously. Why is our world so lost?

Lavonne - posted on 08/08/2010

I love the baby monster with a bottle idea!
My daughter just started talking about monsters a few weeks ago. She's always slept in her own room, but she just started asking for the light to be left on. I think this is just the age when they start to realize there actually are scary things in the world. She's just now finding out that you have to check for cars before crossing the street, that some animals can hurt her, that she can't go in the pool alone, and that some people are mean. I don't think she knew any of that before, and now monsters seem sensible. It's just a natural progression between the naivete' of infancy to the reality of danger and need for safety in the preschool years.

Heather - posted on 08/08/2010

Your daughter is at about the right age to start being scared of things. My daughter has started doing the same thing. However, I try not to go out of my way to change her bedtime routine to compinsate for things that go bump in the night. There are two good reasons for this.

First, toddlers are smart and want you to sleep with them, fuss over them....they love attention. The more you give attention to her and the spooky imagination, the longer she'll "fear" things. It's her way of tricking you to stay with her and delay her bed time.

Secondly, if there is actually a prolonged fear of something, then sleeping with her and leaving lights on, etc., may be actually telling her that there IS something to fear. Why else would mom and dad be giving her a flashlight to ward off monsters? I would suggest not changing her bedtime routine at all. I know it may be hard to hear her fuss, but it won't last more than a week.

The next time she sees something that scares her, tell her that mommy and daddy aren't afraid of the silly monster. Make fun of the monster. Talk about how cute and friendly it is. At one point I gave my daughter a stuffed animal monster toy and a babydoll bottle. I told her it was just a baby monster and it needed to ba taken care of. She pushed it around in her baby stroller for a while. She no longer fears monsters, because she thinks they are all babies!

Melissa - posted on 08/04/2010

my big girl does this. She watches disney movies with grandpa, then comes home and tells me theres bad wolves(beauty and the beast) or monsters (monster inc) in her room. I simply reasure her that there is no such thing. and if she doesn't believe me i ask her where they are, have her show me and show her 100% that they aren't real. Idon't let her sleep in my bed, but will always go and scare them away. I don't think she's faking it, or playing me a fool in anyway, i think she's genuenly affraid of what she thinks might be learking in the places she can see. Simple reasurance, extra hugs and kisses seem to be working just fine. plus once she's asleep she stays that way for the whole night through.. unless theirs thunder.. and that becomes a whole different story.

(fyi i have a 6 month old too, so i know she feels a little of the lack of attention because of her sister, and seeks some extra attention during the day, but this is a genuine thing, and i dont think has anything to do with the baby) good luck to you

Melissa - posted on 07/30/2010

I would try introducing her or reminding her of good monsters. Maybe watch sesame street to reinforce good monsters like cookie monster or elmo. When she says it's a monster in her room - ask is it cookie monster who has come to steal her cookies and play with her a little bit. Make light of nice monsters.

You might also get some sesame street books from the library to help with talking about good monsters and reinforcing that.

Movies can definately scare them. My sister in law had the same issue after watching monsters inc. While there are good monsters in that movie - there are also bad and that's what they pick up on. Try making monsters fun and that should help.

Carrie - posted on 07/12/2010

she is playing you for the fool and you better jump on it now or you will be sleeping with 2 kids b4 you know it good luck on this one ;)

Sharon - posted on 07/12/2010

Have you tried getting your husband to sleep on the floor with her in her room? We tried it and although it took a few nights it worked.