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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:10:08 PM EDT
My son has been old enough for awhile that he has a normal fear of the dark, I think pretty typical for a three year old. I think he is worse about it when either my wife or I am working late and only one parent is home. He's obviously much happier when everyone is home, who wouldn't be, but you have to do what you have to do in life.
I'm very careful about what he sees on TV, really he doesn't watch any TV but we do let him watch some stuff on Netflix, mostly Curious George and Winnie the Pooh. He will stop watching shows that seem scary on his own. I've also sent a few books back to the library that someone else got out that I thought were a little too scary. So we are pretty careful about what he is exposed to. He's not having night terrors and it's no big deal really, just curious how other people deal with it. Last night I got up and went to the bathroom. I just walked to a downstairs bathroom completely in his line of sight, but he was watching Curious George on my ipad and gets way too engrossed in that stuff (grumble grumble but he was really well behaved yesterday all day). Anyway he must have noticed I was gone without realizing where I went and started running through the house yelling for me (of course while I am on the terlet as Archie Bunker would say). When I have told him I am going outside at night time to get the mail or get something out of a car left in the driveway he runs and gets one of his flashlights and shines it out the door on me to make sure I am safe  I did have him get his wiffle ball bat and his flashlight and had him come outside with me and told him to stand guard while I got something out of the car, he laughed and seemed to like that. I don't think my wife will go along with me taking him out and blowing some bear to giblets to instill confidence in him  hard to find a god damn bear to blow to pieces around here anyway |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:11:43 PM EDT
[#1]
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:13:25 PM EDT
[#2]
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:14:28 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryTHANKS! I just needed that stuck in my head after having not heard it for 20 years! |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:15:13 PM EDT
[#4]
maybe your son feels that his personhood is being invalidated by the white male patriarchy
so the fears are just a manifestation of his marginalization by society perhaps a little age-ism is going on are you forcing gender roles on him unfairly? |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:15:35 PM EDT
[#5]
You have to desensitize him.
Show him this 
ETA: And this 
And even this 
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:15:48 PM EDT
[#6]
Here's a children's film on the subject that should help him confront his fears. Good luck
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:16:18 PM EDT
[#7]
I would tell my little one, the monster under the bed fears me and she has nothing to worry about. She used to say you better hide monster my dad is coming. Kids are two much.
Now she is 9 and the other day we had a mouse in the house, and she told me not to worry that she could kill it. All while telling her mom the mouse fears her. Guess it worked then. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:16:25 PM EDT
[#8]
hide in the closet and jump out in the middle of th night, if you do this enough times they will get used to it and not be scared any more
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:17:13 PM EDT
[#9]
When I was young I had an almost paralyzing fear of the dark. I was a completely normal kid otherwise (keep telling that to myself anyway
) but always was terrified to be alone in the dark.
The only thing that changed it was getting older. Think early teens. No amount of reasoning could make me less scared. I knew there was nothing to be afraid of, but that didn't help a bit. My oldest daughter inherited it from me. She's 11 and won't go upstairs alone even during broad daylight sometimes. Has yet to sleep alone in her room (she makes my 9 y/o son sleep in her room). My wife doesn't understand because she didn't have this fear when she was young, but I let her get away with stuff because I remember how paralyzing the fear of the dark can sometimes be. He'll grow out of it. Eventually. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:18:21 PM EDT
[#10]
Monsters Inc. might work on him.
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:19:37 PM EDT
[#11]
My old man would hide under the bed just before bedtime so that he could reach up from below and scare the shit out of us after mom read us a bed-time story and turned out the lights.
Maybe that's why I'm so broken |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:19:42 PM EDT
[#12]
After having a kid, I'm realizing that the behaviors of a kid and a very loyal dog are similar in some aspects. A dog would wait by the door or look out the window at you if you went outside to get something from your truck and bark at whoever gets within 100 yards of you. A dog would get up and try and find you in the house if you were there when he fell asleep but no longer are, now. A dog likes it when his whole pack is home and is on edge when not. Obviously your son is not a dog nor does he actually act like one. They're not the same by any means. But just like a dog with separation anxiety, once he realizes (after much repetition) that you are coming back and he is safe, it'll probably subside to an extent.
But I honestly have no idea what I'm talking about. This is 100% speculation. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:21:14 PM EDT
[#13]
So hiding in his closet and scaring the shit out of him hasn't worked?
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:22:27 PM EDT
[#14]
My father used to say that there is nothing out there that isn't more scared of you than you are of it. Then he would go make me water the cows late at night, after a while you just got used to it.
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:24:36 PM EDT
[#15]
Baba-DOOK-DOOK-DOOK!
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:24:46 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My father used to say that there is nothing out there that isn't more scared of you than you are of it. Then he would go make me water the cows late at night, after a while you just got used to it. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:25:14 PM EDT
[#17]
I don't know, all I had to do was tell them there wasn't anything in the house in the dark that wasn't there with the lights on and it was Daddy's job to keep the house safe.
I've never bothered with sheltering my girls from scary stuff on TV, beyond telling them I'm watching scary grownup stuff and they shouldn't watch if they don't want to see scary stuff. Kids never had unusual fears, or nightmares. Had some issues when my dad died suddenly, they were close, but that passed quickly. They had a night light until they were about 4, then it burned out and they didn't seem to care after the first night.. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:25:28 PM EDT
[#18]
I guess I didn't get anything from your post that details his fear of the dark. For example, my daughter loves to get her flashlight and follow me outside when it's dark. It's not fear, I think she just loves playing with her flashlight that I got for her.
My 5 year old will do the same thing if I suddenly disappear. I generally just tell her that I'm going to bathroom, other room, etc and that seems to solve the problem. Does he actually say he's afraid of the dark? |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:26:04 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
hide in the closet and jump out in the middle of th night, if you do this enough times they will get used to it and not be scared any more Lmao my dad did something similar once when I was little. He hid under my brother and I's bunk beds and grabbed me when I peeked under after hearing a noise. Scared for life. 
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:27:10 PM EDT
[#20]
A friend of mine had a similar issue with his son.
First thing he did was go to an army navy store and bought an old gas mask. You can imagine the rest. The kid ended up ok. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:27:28 PM EDT
[#21]
With 16 grand kids, some freak in the dark and others DGAF.
The ones that are iffy I got them those night lights, like from Lowe's, etc. of cartoon characters that shine on the ceiling and seemed to help a little until they fall asleep. My 5 "known" kids, now grown up preferred a little night light on to see any monsters under the bed or whatever. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:27:29 PM EDT
[#22]
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:27:59 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm not buying a cow Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
My father used to say that there is nothing out there that isn't more scared of you than you are of it. Then he would go make me water the cows late at night, after a while you just got used to it. I'd like to hear you explain the need for a cow to the wife
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:29:02 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My father used to say that there is nothing out there that isn't more scared of you than you are of it. Then he would go make me water the cows late at night, after a while you just got used to it. I don't think you could convince me that imaginary monsters are more scared of me than I am of them. That is, after all, most likely the thing of which most kids are afraid. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:29:14 PM EDT
[#25]
My dad handed me a .45 and told me not to be a pussy.
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:29:22 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So hiding in his closet and scaring the shit out of him hasn't worked? I did that hiding in the bathtub in the bathroom with the lights off. 3 years ago. Kid still won't go in a dark bathroom. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:30:08 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'd like to hear you explain the need for a cow to the wife Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: My father used to say that there is nothing out there that isn't more scared of you than you are of it. Then he would go make me water the cows late at night, after a while you just got used to it. I'd like to hear you explain the need for a cow to the wife |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:30:39 PM EDT
[#28]
I was always scared there was an alligator under my bed
But then again we were in south florida and we had alligators in the yard 
YMMV 
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:30:53 PM EDT
[#29]
My five year old son did this for a while, now my 95lb lab sleeps beside his bed every night and all is good in the world.
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:31:22 PM EDT
[#30]
give him this.
he will loose his fear of things in the dark. 
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:32:29 PM EDT
[#31]
Ask him: you know how in a video game it says "you cannot sleep when enemies are nearby?"
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:32:40 PM EDT
[#32]
Above all dont make a big deal out of it - he will pick up on it and it wont help anything.
When we were kids, every time there was a real bright full moon Dad would get us out doing stuff around the farm, which was his way to show us "there is nothing there that isnt there in the daylight." You might try that. When I got up a little older we had hunting dogs and Dad got us into it, and you got to where you really enjoyed being out in the dark. Times are diff now, I know... just go easy on the little feller and try not to put him in scary situations and cut off the damned tv. Hope this helps. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:32:41 PM EDT
[#33]
NODs
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:33:05 PM EDT
[#34]
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:33:10 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My five year old son did this for a while, now my 95lb lab sleeps beside his bed every night and all is good in the world. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:33:13 PM EDT
[#36]
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:33:54 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: give him this. he will loose his fear of things in the dark. http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y83/ledsleddiv/012_zpsb7d6c061.jpg  |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:35:07 PM EDT
[#38]
Give him someone to be in charge of.
A cat will do. He will be so hard at work trying to herd the cat around he won't have time to be scared of the dark. Besides, you can tell him cats can see in the dark and if the cat is relaxed he should be too. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:35:09 PM EDT
[#39]
My 4 year old daughter told me she was scared when she woke this morning because Elsa (from Frozen) had punched her in the belly.
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:35:20 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My hot tub and my favorite tree, neither of which my wife liked, just disappeared on separate days when I was at work. I would not give the cow much of a chance Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
My father used to say that there is nothing out there that isn't more scared of you than you are of it. Then he would go make me water the cows late at night, after a while you just got used to it. I'd like to hear you explain the need for a cow to the wife On the bright side, you might get steak that night. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:35:56 PM EDT
[#41]
1. Lock him in a very dark closet.
2. Wait for son to start crying. 3. When he stops crying, let him out. Repeat until he stops crying.
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:36:54 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A watch that he can't tell time on and a jammomatic pistol? I guess he would like the flashlight Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
give him this. he will loose his fear of things in the dark. http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y83/ledsleddiv/012_zpsb7d6c061.jpg Forget being scared of the dark, if your 3 year old hasn't been taught a failure drill yet, you gave failed as a father. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:37:09 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A watch that he can't tell time on and a jammomatic pistol? I guess he would like the flashlight Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
give him this. he will loose his fear of things in the dark. http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y83/ledsleddiv/012_zpsb7d6c061.jpg Forget being scared of the dark, if your 3 year old hasn't been taught a failure drill yet, you gave failed as a father. |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:37:39 PM EDT
[#44]
just do this.
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:37:45 PM EDT
[#45]
My son just turned three and gets a bit freaked out if there are weird shadows but overall he has been good. I just put him to bed and say I'll come check on him, he is usually out after 15-20 minutes.
He will look for us if we leave the room for any extended period of time but overall he dont give a shit. I just give him a heads up, "hey buddy I'm just running upstairs or downstairs" I usually get an "ok dad or ok hulk" (I'm the hulk, mom is spiderman and he is either superman or batman) |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:38:32 PM EDT
[#46]
This should be the official children's discussion thread.
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:39:18 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
NODs It's not a terrible idea. They make cheap CCD ones that use IR LED's for illumination for kids. Seeing the room is the same lights on or off might help. http://www.amazon.com/Spy-Clops-Ultra-Vision-Goggles/dp/B007TG2POM |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:40:49 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryThis. Green eye privilege will cure it in no time. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:42:36 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My son just turned three and gets a bit freaked out if there are weird shadows but overall he has been good. I just put him to bed and say I'll come check on him, he is usually out after 15-20 minutes. He will look for us if we leave the room for any extended period of time but overall he dont give a shit. I just give him a heads up, "hey buddy I'm just running upstairs or downstairs" I usually get an "ok dad or ok hulk" (I'm the hulk, mom is spiderman and he is either superman or batman) (someone has to raise this kid) and they don't bother him.I got him a helium balloon and turned off the light, the balloon was kind of like an ominous floating head in the dark "take this?" 'YES PLEASE!" from under the covers I freaked out and punched the funking balloon in the hall that night when I went to the shitter |
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Posted: 2/25/2016 4:44:19 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My son learned about shadows from Curious George (someone has to raise this kid) and they don't bother him.
I got him a helium balloon and turned off the light, the balloon was kind of like an ominous floating head in the dark "take this?" 'YES PLEASE!" from under the covers I freaked out and punched the funking balloon in the hall that night when I went to the shitter
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
My son just turned three and gets a bit freaked out if there are weird shadows but overall he has been good. I just put him to bed and say I'll come check on him, he is usually out after 15-20 minutes. He will look for us if we leave the room for any extended period of time but overall he dont give a shit. I just give him a heads up, "hey buddy I'm just running upstairs or downstairs" I usually get an "ok dad or ok hulk" (I'm the hulk, mom is spiderman and he is either superman or batman) (someone has to raise this kid) and they don't bother him.
I got him a helium balloon and turned off the light, the balloon was kind of like an ominous floating head in the dark "take this?" 'YES PLEASE!" from under the covers I freaked out and punched the funking balloon in the hall that night when I went to the shitter
we currently have a life size stormtrooper ballon floating in the house, I hate that fucking thing. I am also sad to admit I have seen just about every fucking episode of Curious George 
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