Almost everyone has been frightened by the occasional nightmare. Children are often terrified by these frightening dreams.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
- Comfort your child. Let your child know he/she is safe.
- Stay in the room and near the bed until the child falls asleep again.
- Use a night light. Most children are afraid of the dark.
- Have your child sleep in a room close to your bedroom.
- Try to eliminate stress from the home if possible. Children find parental fighting, illness and abuse very disturbing.
- Question your child about stress outside the home. Is he/she being bullied on the playground or dealing with a difficult teacher?
- Avoid violent or frightening television shows or movies, especially close to bedtime.
- Assure your child that it's only a dream, that it isn't real.
- Try to get him or her to talk about what went on in the dream. Often talking about a dream makes it less frightening.
- Establish a bedtime routine with a peaceful, relaxing list of tasks -- a relaxing bath, hot chocolate, maybe a favorite story.
- Give your child a hug when you tuck him or her in.
- If your child has a bad night, talk it over in the morning. Assure your child that dreams are natural.
- If the dreams persist, discuss the problem with your doctor. The dreams could be related to medication or illness.
- A therapist should be consulted for persistent recurring dreams, especially if the child has been through a stressful experience like a car accident or a family death.
Tips:
- When you tuck your child into bed at night, never forget to assure your child of your love.
- Never lose patience when your child has a bad dream. Your child is really frightened and needs reassurance, not scolding.
- Remember that most children eventually outgrow their bad dreams.
