Fear has entered our home.
Twice in the last week, P has started yelling in the middle of the night, "Watch out, Mommy. Watch Out!" When I have gone to him, he has said through tears, "No more tigers, today!"
It is so bizarre that he is suddenly afraid of tigers. I allow the children to watch preschool programs on TV in the morning, but I monitor the quality and quantity. It is never "just on" during the day. Tigers have not been aggressive or scary on anything we have read, watched or experienced during our trips to the zoo--I honestly cannot remember them even being on or in anything the kids have seen lately. Yet, somehow, he knows to be afraid of tigers.
Each night before bed now P wants me to assure him there are no tigers...and the last two nights he has added cows. It is so irrational, but so real.
Much like my fears, I suppose.
I know there is a healthy place for rational fear, but I am sad that my children's sweet little minds and hearts are already giving up some of their joy to have it replaced by fear.
7 comments:
yes, the fear is a not so fun challenge to deal with...i wrote a post about ella's fear you may remember. its really hard to understand what is going on in their little minds. you are right, a lot of it is irrational...and its easy to get so frustrated if it continues on and on (which is what i do!). it just shows us that we certainly don't quite have control over them like we want to (by not lettting them watch scary things, etc)....those fears creep in somehow regardless of how much we protect them from it.
Our oldest has had the same problems with fear at nite. So, every nite, it is part of his routine to pray that God will protect him from the "bears, the monsters, and the clouds." Quite a strange mix, I know, but it sure does help him to sleep better.
:( Hopefully it will pass soon. Through it though maybe he will learn to trust God to protect him.
I will be praying for you sweet little man...Fear is very hard to deal with and teach about to our little ones, but I stand on God's Word and quote verses to my little ones when they are afraid..."when I am afraid, I will trust in THEE..."
I love your heart in desiring to be there for your son and bring him through this stage of life...
praying for wisdom and strength...
::hugs:: to Parker. I know it must seem so real to him. Macey's secret weapon is music. When she was too little to push the button herself I would put it on repeat. Having music available wasn't a problem at home- it was when we went on vacation that I found out very quickly I would need to plan ahead! I really didn't plan on it being a crutch but it didn't last forever. For her it helped to have a rational solution to an irrational fear. (Not that a fear of tigers is irrational but seeing one in his bedroom is)
Well, good luck :) Having you and those he loves there to comfort him will give him the security and trust he'll need to comfort himself when he's older.
Poor little boy... I'm so sorry to hear about Parker, Jenmom. I remember you wrote about Parker (twice?) that he is your funny boy. I can't imagine if he has to go through this fear. But, could it be a nightmare?
I think I agree with the previous commenter, primarycolors. Maybe music can help Parker deal with his fear.
Or, maybe you'd like to come over to my blog and see what you can do for your little man.
It's Help Your 3-Year-Olds Deal with Nightmares. Well, I know he's not 3 already, but I do hope this could help him and you.
I hope Kate and Ryland are fine.
Much love,
Adwina
This is just so sad that this has to be a part of life, and makes me wonder if life has always had this fear starting so soon. I'll be in prayer for Parker this week, because tigers ARE scary!
Andi
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