How do I help my child get over her fear of storms?

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   fitmomposted 12 years ago

   How do I help my child get over her fear of storms?
   
   She is 3 and would sleep through bad storms until last year when we moved and lived in an area where the storms seem to be more intense. We had to go down to the basement several times last spring. Now, if it's storming during the night, she wakes up crying and wants to get in our bed. I've explained about thunder, lightning, etc. Ideas??

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2. 71

   debbie robertsposted 12 years ago

   A good way to help your child with her fear of storms is to get a childrens book appropriate for her age with colourful and fun pictures that she could relate to. Spend time looking and continue to teach her about storms like you have been doing. She may be a little young to fully understand what they are really all about, but one day she will understand and will realise that there is nothing to be scared of.
   You could even try making up fun stories together about what is causing the loud bangs from the thunder - I used to tell my two things it was brother and sister clouds fighting.
   I hope this helps.

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      fitmomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've made up some similar stories and she likes when I tell the stories, but it wasn't helping with her fear during the storm. I think it will just take time.

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   Cre8torposted 12 years ago

   When I was young, my dad used to sit me on our stairs where there was a window that you could see the storms roll in and the lightning put on it's show. I loved to say "Ooh, did you see that one!" and then count till the thunder hit to see if it was getting closer or further.
   
   (Fast-FWD 20 years)
   
   I've now had the pleasure of doing this with all 3 of my sons over the years and smile everytime I hear them say, "Ooh, did you see that one!"
   
   My point is, I've never been afraid of storms and my children have never been afraid of storms. They talk about actually sleeping better when it storms and I believe it's because we've made it a family activity. It's looked forward to like a night at the movies. I suppose I feel better too because after my years of watching storms, I know when they look rougher than usual and would like to think I'm a bit of a meteorologist. Self proclaimed sure, but pretty accurate if I may say so myself.

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      fitmomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's a great idea! I wish we had a window like that with a good vantage point. We do rate the thunder on a scale of 1 to 10. That seems to have helped some.

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   Pav710posted 12 years ago

   I guess your 3 old is too young to understand that it is okay if there is a storm and it will not hurt. I suppose she will grow out of it herself, I guess she is going through a face like all children do at some stage in their life. My daughter was fine till the age of 6 and then she developed a fear of the dark. The way I handled it, was just encouraging her to do it and I am right behind her if she needs me. Also reading books about the dark with happy endings generally makes it better. Talking to her about a made up scenario about yourself in a storm with fun bits might help as psycologically she can relate it better because she knows of someone who she knows has felt the same way.
   
   But like I said it is just a phase till something else comes her way. All the best.

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      fitmomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, it is definitely a phase. Unfortunately, when this phase passes, it will be traded for a new phase. 

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