School-age Child Sleeping Issues--fears, Etc.

I have 2 boys, 10 and 9 and they are both very sensitive to "scary" stuff. I've become VERY selective in what they're exposed to. While you can't keep them in a bubble, you can monitor much of their world. My boys don't want to sleep by themselves for awhile after some random "visual" but they soon forget it and I'm sure your daughter will too. I don't think this is very unusual, now that Halloween is over it should be much easier to avoid the scary images. Good luck.

This is exactly why I can't stand Halloween. Why do we want to put all of this in our kids' faces? What do your neighbors think is good for kids in their decorations? Why would a school host a haunted house?

Instead, apologize to your daughter that she had to see all of that stuff. Instead of telling her that it is all make-believe, tell her how hard it must be for her to have to see all of that stuff. Her fears are real and not make-believe. Ask her what she thinks about as her imagination takes off. Have her tell you what is the most scary part of it. Help her to see that you believe that her fears are very real. Tell her that you did not realize how scary this was for her and that you will protect her from such evil-looking images in the future. Explain that some people like to be scared as it gets their heart pumping or something, but it is very normal that she didn't like it and you are glad that you know that now.

Then reassure her that you and your husband will also protect her from anything that could possibly harm her. Give her examples, like how your husband is strong and would never let anyone get near her, especially at night. Tell her that you never hear of any stories on the news of anyone getting into someone's house that was locked. Show her that you lock all the doors at night and she is safe. If you have a bible, show her verses in the bible that remind us of God's protection. (You can google "God will protect" or "angels will protect" to find the verses.) And you can even get silly and tell her how you would run and scream after anyone that would come near you, and throw your heavy purse at them, for example.

Then tell her that if she is in her bed, she can call out to you at any time and you will come in and check on her.

My daughter had the same issues. She is 13 now and I still can't close my door at night!! We prayed alot. We would make up prayers as to whatever her issue was for the night. I always told her that NOTHING could harm her becuase she was so protected by GOD and his ANGELS. Her being in control of the prayers always seemed to help. I always insisted that she start the night off in her own bed and if she got scared my door was open. She goes to my husband's side of the bed first, he is much more patient than I am!! I would soothe her and make her go back to her own bed. In our huge bed, he let's her stay. She is our youngest and no matter how frustrating this may seem, it will be over soon and she won't need us at all!
Good luck with however you decide to deal with it and God Bless!!
D.

My sons does this every once in a while, he's 9 and in 4th grade. Just keep letting her sleep in your room, my son does that too. What does it really hurt to help her feel more comfortable. Keep reminding her it is make believe. She will eventually sleep in her room. When it comes down to it, her feeling safe out weighs any frustration you may have. She's only 4 and like you said, she has an active imagination...for many of us it's not what we 'see' that scares us.

I watched a movie that really scared me not to long ago and it took me two weeks before I would go thru the house when it was dark :)