Scared of the Closet

I read somewhere that getting a spray bottle and filling it with "ghost spray", or "monster spray" and allowing the child to mist the closet (or under the bed, wherever) to get rid of the ghosts, allows them some control over the situation and makes bedtime that much more fun. She can keep it by the side of her bed and just spray when she gets scared. Just an idea!

My son became scared of his closet after reading the Monsters, Inc. story. After explaining that there was nothing in there and having him still be scared, I told him it might be best if we didn't read anything scary until he lost his fear of the closet. Amazingly, the fear disappeared pretty fast! So not sure if your daughter has any "scary" movies or books she loves, but if so this might be a tactic to try - sorry if this doesn't relate to your circumstance!
K

We are going through being afraid of the dark and saying there are monsters and spiders in my 2 year olds bedroom at night. He sleeps with a flashlight and I tell him that if he thinks there is something scary to shine his light at it and it goes away. This seems to work.

Good luck.

T.

I took the doors off of my 6 year old daughters closet and taped pink mini lights around where the doors were and then hung pretty pink curtains up, "just like a pricess", those are her words she lovesit.

hmmm I was scared of mine too. I used to have to have the closet closed so that I could go to sleep. I think this is a fear several kids have. I think there is even a commercial for grape juice where the little girl is scared of her closet. I say.. if you don't already have a night light in her room get her one and just keep the door closed to the closet at night. Maybe durring the day when the sun is out have her go look in her closet and see that it really is not a scary place. BY all means avoid reading her the book There's a Nightmare in My Closet I think maybe that's where my fear came from.

A., everyone has good ideas. If you are desperate, maybe spend part of a day taking everything out of the closet with your daughter, so that she can see all the walls and corners and everything. Perhaps even remove the door(s). When she feels better, let her be somewhat in charge of re-filling the closet.

I took the closet door off of my daughter's closet , and put a cute curtain rod with butterflies, and pink curtains that she can pull back - she can always see what's in there!
Good luck!

Hi A..

Is it possible to take the door off of it, so that she can always see inside there? I used to be scared of the space under my bed. If you can't see what is under there, then you can get scared of it. If you could take the door off and put a night-light in there, she could always see there is nothing in there.

Always remember, they are all phases. If you love this phase of her life, take lots of pictures and video tape everything. If you don't like it, remember it is just a phase and will pass within months.

Good Luck.
D.