Afraid of the dark?

[wesleysmom0604]

My 4 year old has just recently become afraid of the dark. Up until now he has had no problems, but latley he cries at night and says he is scared. Anyone else deal with this?

[breezykc2]

Yep....he has even gotten upset in the car at night in the backseat....
So...for the car....we got him one of those keychain push button flashlights, the really tiny light kind..

For night we always have a nightlight, but added a small light with a nightlight feature to it and keep it on now too.. and keep the door cracked with the hall light on until he falls asleep if he's really upset some nights...

My friend got one of those light up stuffed animals and her kiddo loves that too....

[MommyJessy]

I still don't like being in the dark much, I have nightlights around the house still :???:

[Godzgirl]

My 4 year old has just recently become afraid of the dark. Up until now he has had no problems, but latley he cries at night and says he is scared. Anyone else deal with this?

Funny you mention it because my 4yr dd has just started doing this as well. She never had a problem before but has recently told me that she's afraid of the dark. I've been thinking of getting her a nighlight.

[Winnie]

Our son is not quite 3 and he is afraid of the dark too. We got him one of those LED Flashlights that don't get hot, and last forever. Plus nightlights. Once he falls asleep, my husband goes in and shuts off the LED flashlight, and then opens the door so there is light shining in from the hallway.

[momofweewerfs]

all my kids have night lights in their rooms. my 3 year old just started to ask for the door to be left open. if she wakes up during the night she cries because it is shut. we have no light on in the hallway and just a small one in the bathroom.
my 8 year old, who has her own room, 1 level down from the rest of us, has a small night light lamp that she sleeps with on all night.

[kim]

Ds is pretty used to the dark, but doesn't like it completely dark. There is always a night light on in the kids room.

If you don't want a flashlight in the room at night, you could make a game out of playing in the dark during the day with one. That might help with the fear - experimenting with it in a controlled setting.

[savedbygrace]

Abby has a dim nightlight. (she is 4 as well) But we also put christian music on while she is falling asleep, of course praying with her every night helps too.

[wesleysmom0604]

Thanks ladies! We do have a nightlight, but have never needed it till now, we will try that. He wants to door cracked, so we have been doing that, but I don't want it all the way open because his baby brother shares his room and I don't want to wake him up. I have talked to lots of people today and am glad to know it is very common at this age.

[irishmum2boys]

Recently someone bought our ds this thing and now I can't think how to describe it [whatwacko] ok you plug it in and it is a small box with a light in it but it has a safari scene that moves around with a small light inside. Both my boys love it and it doesn't get hot or anything so it is safe in that regards. It helps them to go to sleep, but I also second soft music too!

By the way Julie it is nice to see you back again, congratulations on your new baby. Did you post details on him anywhere? :)

[NZMummy]

It's good to see you back Julie! Yes, please tell us about your new baby!!!!!

My 4 year old doesn't like the dark either - i can't remember what age that started, but it did come on suddenly. Currently we just leave a hall light on (as that provides enough light for both kids and allows them to come and find us if they need us in the night).

[Timmys mom]

Timmy was never scared of the dark until one day he saw Curious George. It was an episode about George getting over his fear of the dark, but I think it never occured to Timmy that dark was scary until then. It made me feel bad for letting him watch it, but it wasn't scary or anything. Oh well, he's been scared of the dark ever since. The nightlight idea is probably a good one.