Sleep Solutions

“There’s No Such Thing as Monsters”: Dealing with Bedtime Anxieties

“There’s No Such Thing as Monsters”: Dealing with Bedtime Anxieties

 

Time flies when you’re a parent and before you know it, your innocent bundle of “goo goos” and “gagas” has developed an imagination so vivid that even you are starting to wonder if the monster under the bed is real!


Battling your toddler’s bedtime fears can be a tricky part of parenting; so here are some helpful tips to help you and your child:


1: Take notice of what your toddler is exposed to during the day.Many children’s TV shows and books are filled with human-eating wolves, evil witches and “baddies”. While the majority of such characters have been designed to help illustrate the difference between right and wrong, toddlers are often unable to distinguish between reality and make-believe.


2: Don’t use frightening threats as a form of discipline.Telling your toddler that “the bogeyman” will come for her if she doesn’t eat her tea will not do either of you any favours at bedtime!


3: Make sure you engage your toddler in the same, predictable routine each night before bed.Allowing your child to take a favourite cuddly toy or a baby comforter to bed can also help them to feel safe during the night.


4: Acknowledge that your toddler’s fears are real, (even if they seem irrational to you). Real fear should be addressed with real comfort, even if it is in the middle of the night.


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