This has come upon us quite suddenly. My 3 year old daughter has become afraid of the dark and insists that we leave her lamp on or leave the hall light on with the door open all the way? Up until last week she was fine with her one nightlite and the door closed. My husband thinks she is just looking for attention and needs some tough love (he admits that he does not recall ever having any nighttime fears). I, however, believe her and think it is just fine for a child to request her door to remain open with the hall light on. What do you all think? Thanks so much for your input.
Thank you to everyone for your responses. They were all helpful, both practically and supportively (knowing she's not the only one going through this). We now leave the bathroom light on with her bedroom door halfway open. We have had no more complaints about the dark or anything else since starting this, and I feel so much better knowing that she feels better. Thanks again!
i think that if leaving an extra light on or leaving her door open solves it then that is not unreasonable, if she were to keep asking for more & more things or kept getting up then a little tough love might be needed but at that age fear of the dark is common & if a little more light makes her feel safe then whats the harm right!
A.,
This happened to us...just seems like one day our 2 1/2 year old son decided to become afraid of the dark. He requested that we too leave his door open (we have a nightlight in his hallway already). My husband wanted to take a tough approach with him - and me being the 'softy' accomodated his request. I dont see it as a big deal. My sister also found a book about a polar bear afraid of the dark - its a cute book and we read it and while I dont think it really helps much...he does like the book! hehehe.
Good luck...it made me feel better knowing I was not alone with the 'sudden onset of fear' thing..that actually concerned me.
When my husband goes out of town, I'm afraid of the dark too, lol. Some noise may help her as well as a night-lite, maybe some soft classical music to scare away the monsters :) "God hasn't given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mine" :)
I wholeheartedly second what Kara said. If all she wants is a hall light and open door, not a big deal.
If it goes further (ie, getting out bed frequently, asking to sleep with you, etc.) then maybe some tough love is order. But if the hall light makes her happy, do it!
