How To Calm a Child Who Is Having a Nightmare
- July 1, 2009
- 3,606 Views
Co-producer
kendraelliott
Voice Over Artist
Peter Coleman
Music
Jonathan Roberts
Writer
maura_rhodes
Persistent nightmares could mean that your child is feeling stressed or worried about something – like starting preschool or being potty-trained. Help your child to deal with whatever is bothering him and you’ll both sleep tight.
You Will Need
- A reassuring demeanor
- “Anti-Monster Spray”
- A comforting toy or object
- A nightlight or flashlight
- A calming bedtime ritual
Step 1: Go to your child
Go to your child as soon as you hear him calling. Hold him close. Tell him, over and over if necessary and in a reassuring tone of voice, “Mommy’s here,” or “Mommy and Daddy are here.”
Step 2: Tread lightly
Don’t push him to tell you about the nightmare; he may get upset all over again. But if he wants to talk about it, listen sympathetically.
Bad dreams are especially scary for kids under five, who can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not.
Step 3: Sweep the room
If he’s worried about something in his room – a monster in the closet, a dragon under his bed – get rid of the beast by sweeping under the bed and then spritzing the room with a water bottle marked “Anti-Monster Spray.”
Step 4: Give him something to cuddle with
Give him something to cuddle with.
Step 5: Wait until he’s asleep
Turn on a nightlight or give your child a flashlight to keep by his side. Once your child is calm, stay with him until he goes back to sleep, or is close to drifting off.
Don’t offer to sleep alongside him, and don’t invite him into your bed. You’ll just start a bad habit that will become a nightmare for you.
Step 6: Avoid scary images before bedtime
To keep the nightmares at bay in the future, don’t expose your child to scary images—before bedtime. Establish a calming and regular bedtime routine.
Nightmares usually occur during the last third of sleep – known as REM sleep – which is when you’re most likely to dream.
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Comments (10)
That is like the cutest kid ever !!!
over 2 years ago by Darlene212
What a beautiful child!
over 2 years ago by Michelle
Where can I buy anti-monster spray?
over 2 years ago by norgon
I'm selling it 5$
over 2 years ago by Tricksnap
anti-monster spray: http://shop.allgreenthings.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=24&;idproduct=877
over 2 years ago by monty
Excellent Video
DrMDK
over 2 years ago by DrMDK
great video! will it work on turtles? mine has nightmares all the time, practically jumps right out of its shell, and whenever I try to calm him down he bites the shit out of me -- what am I doing wrong? the only images he sees before bedtime are from his favorite book, RoadKill Tales, so that's not it -- please help
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