How to Help My Child Overcome Her Fear of Ghosts
Young children often experience fears of unknown or imaginary creatures, including ghosts. The fear of ghosts is most common in preschool-age children and typically disappears as the child gets older. There are ways to make sure that fear doesn't turn into a more serious phobia. Don't expect the fear to go away quickly, however. According to Baby Center, it can take up to a year for a toddler's fears to dissipate.
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Things You'll Need
- Nightlight
- Flashlight
- Spray bottle of water
- Friendly ghost books or figures
Instructions
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Tell your child you understand she is afraid of ghosts; reassure her you will help her. Talk to her to determine whether there are any specific triggers for her fear, such as scary movies, shadowy corners or going to bed alone; this will help you pick an effective coping strategy.
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Walk with the child through her room at bedtime with a flashlight, checking under the bed and in shadowy corners to show her there are no ghosts in those spots. Go into the closet and yell loudly for the ghosts to go away; come out and tell her they are now gone. Fill a spray bottle with water; use this "Ghost Spray" to get rid of any lingering ghosts. Help her make and hang a "No ghosts allowed" sign on her door.
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Turn off scary movies or television shows and do not read scary stories, especially at bedtime. Remind older siblings not to tease her about ghosts. Read a story or watch a nonthreatening cartoon about a friendly or helpful ghost to point out that ghosts do not have to be frightening.
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Give the child a nightlight or flashlight. Play soothing music to help her calm down at bedtime. Hug her and stay with her briefly so she knows she can count on you. Give her a favorite stuffed animal or doll to take to bed; take her shopping to purchase this item and identify it together as an antidote to ghosts (for example, a ghost-busting stuffed dog).
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Tips & Warnings
Acknowledge that the child's fear of ghosts is real to her. This does not mean you have to believe in ghosts yourself, only that you handle her fears with sensitivity. In her book "Kids Who See Ghosts: How to Help Them Through Fear," Caron Goode says, "When we suggest a parent believe, we mean to believe in the child --- to believe that the child believes!"
Do not belittle or ignore your child or her fears. On the other hand, do not overcompensate for them. According to the Ask Dr. Sears website, it is essential to find the right balance so the child can cope with and overcome her fears -- reassure her, but do not go overboard when trying to help her.
References
- KidsHealth.org: Anxiety, Fears and Phobias; D'Arcy Lyness, PhD; October 2010
- AskDrSears.com: 7 Ways to Help Your Child Handle Fear
- DrGreene.com: Dealing With Irrational Fears; Alan Greene, MD FAAP; updated March 12, 2009
- BabyCenter.com: Easing Your Child's Fears; BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board; November 2006
- "Kids Who See Ghosts: How to Guide Them Through Fear"; Caron B. Goode; 2010
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
