Nighttime fears

It’s normal for a child to imagine monsters that generate a fear of the dark. Even if you explain that there’s no such thing, and even if you assure her that she’s safe, she may still be scared. You can reduce her fears when you:

• Teach her the difference between real and fantasy through discussion and book-reading.
• Find ways to help your child confront and overcome her fears. If dark shadows create suspicious shapes, provide a flashlight to keep at her bedside.
• Leave soothing lullabies playing, or white noise sounds running to fill the quiet.
• Give your child one, two, or a zoo of stuffed animals to sleep with.
• Put a small pet, like a turtle or fish, in your child’s room for company.
• Take a stargazing walk, build a campfire, or have a candlelight dinner to make the dark more friendly.

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