Joined: 12 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 5857 Gender: Female
Posted: 05 November 2007 at 5:27pm | IP Logged
Ella announced last night (at about 1.30am) that she is now scared of the dark. She has never, ever, ever had a problem with the dark before at all in fact, she often tells me to turn the landing light off when she goes to bed.
Last night was a BAD night and at 1.30 DH went into her as she was screaming hysterically and he asked her what was wrong, was it the dark, was she scared (well done Angus..) and she said yes. He then put the landing light on and all was well until 2.30, (when I couldn't sleep!) and Ella woke up again shouting "Mummy come, stay here, no like dark, I scared".
After a few hours of this, I hunted round the house and found the nightlight we had when she was a baby and put this on in her room. To be honest, it didn't really help but it stopped her saying she was scared.
I'm not sure that she is actually scared of the dark, I think DH put that seed in her mind and she latched on to it. I don't really want her have a light in her room as she's not had one since she was about 4 months old and I don't really want to get into that.
Joined: 24 October 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 4566 Gender: Female
Posted: 05 November 2007 at 5:38pm | IP Logged
Sophie is a regular at this one. Before she goes to bed, we scout round the room, under the bed and in the wardrobe to show her there are no monsters hiding. She has a very small torch that she keeps beside her.
Joined: 13 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 8802 Gender: Female
Posted: 05 November 2007 at 5:40pm | IP Logged
I have a baby body clock for Eds (see www.lumie.com) which I can put at whatever level I want. He doesnt have it on high but i do have to have a light on at mums or he gets confused as to where he is and then scared.
Have you asked her what she is scared of? Maybe an idea has been put into her head that you can dispel? Is it the fireworks? I know Eds doesnt like the loud bangs. Is she ill?
Sorry I dont know what to suggest. Try telling her she's a big girl and big girls dont get scared. Mummy and daddy sleep in the dark and big girl ella can too. Maybe use a reward system or sticker chart?
Joined: 12 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 5857 Gender: Female
Posted: 05 November 2007 at 7:23pm | IP Logged
Well, she's in bed and not screaming currently. I've put the classic FM for babies CD on in her room to disguise the fireworks noise - not sure it will work but who knows!
We've had a chat about the dark and I've told her she doesn't need to be scared, cos Mummy and Daddy are only in the next room, and she nodded so we'll see. I have no idea whats going on in her head, fingers crossed for a better night...!
Joined: 12 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 2634 Gender: Not Specified
Posted: 05 November 2007 at 8:22pm | IP Logged
Ellie announced a few months ago that she wanted the light leaving on whenever she woke in the night (she was waking for various reasons) - we ended up getting her a nightlight from ikea that you press the top on/off and you can unplug it and it stays charged for 8 hours I think... it is cool! we use one in hannah's room to feed her in the night but she sleeps in the dark...
I think they go thru phases...it annoyed me at first but now I don't see why it matters if they have a light on or not! I even think it will be handy when we get rid of nappies for bed, she'll be able to find the loo!
Joined: 12 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 8789 Gender: Not Specified
Posted: 05 November 2007 at 9:10pm | IP Logged
Tom and Max are both scared of the dark and as they've chosen to sleep in the same room together I went out and bought a little football lamp to help soothe them to sleep.
Once they're asleep I turn it off. Very rarely do they wake during the night scared of the dark, but if they do the light goes back on.
Joined: 06 September 2007 United Kingdom Posts: 545 Gender: Female
Posted: 05 November 2007 at 9:45pm | IP Logged
How old is Ella? Because when my dd turned two she started to have nightmares quite badly. We would have to open cupboards, check under the bed etc to make sure no boggie men / monsters there. Have always left a landing light on, bacause ex workied late hours and would be loud coming in a t 2am with no lights on! and kids have always got use to this. Lights still on even though hubby is now ex and no longer here!! you can buy small plug ins the shape of a plug that glow a gentle orange colour, that may help.
Sorry dont know what else to suggest, hope she is ok
Joined: 20 May 2007 United Kingdom Posts: 126 Gender: Female
Posted: 06 November 2007 at 10:37am | IP Logged
I have a plug in night light in Tyler's room. It's very dim and just takes the edge off the darkness. Admittedly, the light's there for my benefit. Otherwise I can't see him when I go in and check on him!
Joined: 12 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 3467 Gender: Female
Posted: 06 November 2007 at 11:44am | IP Logged
molly has a winnie the pooh night light - shes had it since birth but in all fairness it has been on more than than ever - im not to sure if molly is scared of the dark or she just says it lol as some nights shes fine and others she aint its as if she is just saying it to get my attention or maybe to come to our room which were really trying to get out of as new baby will be here soon, is Ella anythin at the moment as i know you can get these lights in also dora and sponge bob - goodluck and fingers crossed its a passing phase luv jue xxx
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Topic: Scared of the dark - help please!
) and she said yes. He then put the landing light on and all was well until 2.30, (when I couldn't sleep!) and Ella woke up again shouting "Mummy come, stay here, no like dark, I scared".
