Night Terrors

How to help a child who is afraid of the dark.

It is important to handle the fear of the dark with sympathy and understanding. Reassuring your child by looking under the bed and in the closet will only add fear and anxiety as they will feel that you are looking for monsters.

Some children develop a fear of the dark without any reason, others it could be triggered by trauma or any specific event. You may never find the real reasons but understanding what triggers these fears may help reduce them.

Watching TV, movies on the iPad or even reading a book can cause anxiety. Be cautious of what your child is reading or watching before bedtime.

Encourage your child to stay in bed, it is better for a parent to stay in the room with the child, then the child to join its parents.

Leaving a light on is ideal, although a bright light may hinder your child's sleep. A really cool way to help your child is a personalised low light night light. The great thing about these night lights is they can be made to any design.

If your child is into Butterflies or Unicorns then these night lights may help. Each light has 7 different colours and one alternating flashing option. The colour options red and green omit a low light while the remaining colours are brighter.

Personalise your night light with your child's name to make it even more special. Encourage your child to put on their light just as you are leaving the room for this will reduce their anxieties.

So remember either choose a design that suits or get in touch and request your own.