How Do I Teach My Daughter Not To Be Afraid Of The Dark?

Being afraid of the dark is the number one fear in childhood, which even carries into adulthood. It’s no wonder that scary things in horror movies happen in the dark! But don’t fret – we’re here to shed light on your child’s sleep issues with expert suggestions on how to keep your kid calm and relaxed when it’s time to hit the lights.

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What Makes the Dark Scary?

For kids and adults, the dark has always held some mysterious power that we can’t seem to understand. Fear of the dark is basically a fear of the unknown. Your kid’s imagination runs wild and next thing you know, they’re reliving a scene from Monster’s, Inc.! If you’ve been scared of the dark as a child, it’s important to remember that getting over fear of the dark depends on how safe and secure a kid feels before going to bed. This is reinforced by bedtime rituals.

How to Make the Dark Feel Familiar

Elizabeth Pantley, author of “The No Cry Solution” books, suggests doing activities and games in dim light can make the dark feel more comfortable. You can look for stars at night or make up a flashlight game in the dark. Just don’t make it too stimulating so that they don’t have trouble feeling drowsy at bedtime.

Why Bedtime Rituals Matter

Parenting experts say that most night time terrors happen with sleep deprivation when kids go to bed at a later time than usual. Children thrive on routines because it provides a safe feeling of predictability. Knowing your child well enough to observe what they like or feel comforted by, are essential tools for setting up a successful bedtime ritual:

Give them a nutritious dinner that’s not too heavy or light so that it interferes with digestion
Have kids take a relaxing bath and change into their favourite PJs
Do relaxing activities before bed without loud screens or electronics so that they don’t become overstimulated at bedtime

Common Sleep Issues and How to Solve them

Here are some common sleep problems that trouble kids when you turn off the lights:

“Monster Under the Bed”

The good thing about imaginary monsters is that you can come up with your own magic to defeat them! Tell your child to use a pretend monster repellant spray as they climb into bed, or wave a magic wand to make the boogeyman go away. You can also temporarily put away the bed frame and place the mattress on the floor to eliminate the “under the bed” scenario altogether.

Night Terrors

Your child’s interrupted sleep in the middle of the night can be one reason they’re afraid of the dark. Anyone who’s groggy and still half-dreaming will think that anything they see in the dark is an extension of some bad dream. Why not create the perfect soothing environment for your child to unexpectedly wake up in? Have a nightlight and his favourite stuffed toy ready so that everything looks safe.