My daughter just turned two and has all of the sudden become scared of everything that makes a sound or moves. She cries and runs to me when she sees bugs or hears dogs barking, cars, or any toys that are battery operated. When other children around us get told no (like at the grocery store) she cries and wants me to hold her. And the most recent one is that shes afraid of the dark. For a couple of days we let her fall asleep with the light on, but now she is staying awake in her crib until 10:30 or 11:00pm. We bought her a night light and she cried until we turned her light back on. So I took her to the store and we picked out a lamp for her room. When we got home and I took it out of the bag she cried and wouldn't come near it until I put it on her dresser and showed her how it worked. And it gives off enough light that she is still staying up late. My husband and I dont know what to do. She is crying all the time and is now staying up way too late. I just had another baby (3 months ago), and think that might have something to do with it. But dont know what to do to help the situation.
Hi,
Maybe try NO T.V. 2 year old have very active imaginations and seeing images on t.v. just make them more scared. Even things we don't think should be scary (Witch in Snow White) can really scare a kid! That will keep her up at night/.
H.
Hi there,
I have noticed with my kids that this is very common at this age. Both of my girls went through it (my younger one still is, at almost 3). I think it's because they're really becoming independent of us, and with that comes the realization that we aren't there 24/7 to ward off monsters, bugs, and other scary stuff. Currently my youngest is terrified of bugs. She is even afraid of ladybugs and butterflies! My oldest was always afraid of "strangers," monsters, and the dark.
Fortunately, at this age when their fears don't make much sense, the solution doesn't have to make much sense either (although of course to them their fears are very real, so treat them that way).
For my oldest, being afraid of monsters, strangers and the dark was resolved by sprinkling "fairy dust" on her head before bed every night. (This involves me reaching into my pocket and pulling out a magical handful of clear "fairy dust" which protects against bad dreams, monsters, etc.) We also have some lavender linen spray (although you could use water, what the heck), and we would go around the room spraying it near the windows and doors. Also the movie Monsters, Inc. helped (I was worried it would make things worse, but not so!).
With my little one being afraid of bugs, I gave her a squirt bottle with water in it and told her she could squirt the bugs with the "bug juice."
You get the idea... give her some tools with which to combat her demons. Being that she is afraid of mostly imaginary threats, you can use mostly imaginary means to combat them. At least, that is what worked for us.
(Oh! And an earlier bedtime may actually help her fall asleep easier - try 7 or 7:30. The earlier it is and the less overtired she is, the easier it will be for her to fall asleep.)
Hello,
I don't have any good solutions for you unfortunately, but I've been doing some reading on child development for my masters thesis, and just read in Louise Ames book on two year olds that this kind of sudden development of fear is totally normal. Best of look getting other suggestions and solutions!
L.
Please call my wife, we have copies of a great book called "What I wish I knew when my kids were young." We give them away to those who want them. Rick and A. ###-###-####
My daughter just turned two as well and we are getting similar "scaries" from her. Everything is too LOUD and she runs and buries her head into my legs and cries huge tears. Bugs make her run screaming at the top of her lungs. When we are going somewhere, she is "scared of all the friends", etc. even though we hang out with these people at least once a week.
I have just been first and foremost acknowledging her feelings because I feel for her and telling her that she shouldn't be scared just makes her sad. So I basically repeat what she tells me she is scared of and then if possible, I show her that it's not scary. For example, she was freaking out because I was going to use the stapler and she thought it was going to be too loud, so I reassured her it wasn't and made her watch me use it. Once she see's that I am right, she usually calms down. If it is about going somewhere, I just reassure her that I am going to be there with her and if she gets scared to let me know and I will help her through it. Usually once she gets wherever we are going, she is fine, but I just try to reassure her as much as possible on the way there. I am thinking, like the other Mom's have stated, this is another new phase and not completely due to the new baby, because we don't have any other children yet. Trust your instincts and know it is probably temporary. Good luck!
This is *really* common at this age as they are cognitively so much more aware. Just comfort them, reassure them a lot, and try not to negate their fear because at this age it's very real to them and hearing that "you're not really afraid" or to have the fear denigrated may make them more fearful because it doesn't help their understanding. But also know that this phase does pass!
It sounds like she has developed a over sensitivity to many things, it could be because of the new baby and now she feels she needs to do this to get your attention cause she is not used to sharing you with someone else. I would discuss this problem with your pediatrician and see if they have any recommendations on what you could do for her. If this behavior continues you might want to consider having her evaluated and make sure there is not some underlying problem that is causing this behavior. Better to be on the safe side then let it go too long. Hope this helps and good luck.
I believe your instincts are right. I know it is hard but can you have some "special time" with her. Sometimes 5 or 10 minutes of quality time will work. I call it "our special time" I ask my son what he wants to do and we do it. Sometimes it is just playing cars.
Lynn
I agree with Catherine about the bed time thing. And something that you can do with the lamp that you bought her is buy a special bulb. They have colored bulbs that are not as bright - I bought a blue one for my kids' room to use as night lights, and it worked great - there was just enough light that they could see, but it was not bright to keep them awake. If you are religios, you might try praying with her! Hope that you find peace!
Oh, your girls sound so cute. My sons are nearly the same age diffrence apart and my oldest acted similar to your daughter after my second son was born. Being that they are so small they don't know how to communicate that they may be a little jealous of the new addition. I don't think they even realize what that emotion is so they react in the only way they no how. She craving attenion and its a normal reaction to a new sibling. My son adored his little brother, kissed him constantly & always wanted to help so I didn't think his behavior had anything to do with jealousy but I asked my pediatrician and he explained otherwise. So, I bought him a little fish tank. I took him to the pet store just him and I for quality time. He was scared of the fish at first but I coaxed him through it. We was so excited by the time we left of the little fish he picked out. The fish tank had enough light for a night light and everynight at bedtime we would feed the fish together which he absolutely LOVED. I would tuck him in and we would both say goodnite to Mr. Fish and he knew he had to behave and be very quiet so Mr. Fish could sleep. He was Mr. Fish's Dad so he had to be brave and quiet for him. It worked for me? Give it a try, you never know. Every child is different. Good luck and God Bless.
