What to Do when Your Child Develops a Fear

At one time your child may of loved the dark or had squealed at the sound of the vacuum cleaner. Now they suddenly seem to have developed a fear of it. As your child grows they the start to process the world around them. That vacuum cleaner may now be a represent a threat for danger for them resulting in this new fear. Before they were not capable of thinking this way.

If your child develops a fear, follow these three simple steps to make the fear more manageable.

Accept The New Fear

It may be easy for us to say there are no monsters in the dark, but to your child those fears are real. Comfort your child and let them know you are there for them. This helps your child to feel safe and gives them the confidence they need to cope with the fear. Overcoming the fear all together may take some time, but realizing it as a fear and coping with it is the first step.

Take Your Child's Fear Seriously

Do not underestimate the fear of a child. If they have a fear of water they should not just be tossed in because you know they will be okay. At the same time you do not want to exaggerate the fear. You do not want to send the message that there is actually something to be scared of to the child. You need to find a happy balance between acknowledging the fear and reassuring the child that they are safe.

Help Your Child Work Through Their Fears

If your child insists to sleep with the light on considering switching to a night light. Before bedtime to a walk through of the room to check for monsters under the bed or in the closet. This can help to reassure them that everything in their room is okay. Slowly introduce your child to what they fear. If it is water work him up to putting just his feet in. Or purchase a small wading pool that only goes up to their knees. Once they master that pool they may have the confidence to move on.

Once you accept your child's fear as a valid fear, then you can move forward and help teach your child the skills they need to cope and eventually overcome the fear.