Phobias will change as your child ages. Most parents know about separation anxiety in infants, or strangers coming around. Infants can also be afraid of the unknown.
For example:
Turtle was deathly afraid of water and baths. She didn't like water spilling on her and she would freak out if she was given a bath. I decided that I would take a bath with her and just hold her. I did not worry about cleaning her, we just sat in the water. She freaked out at first and clung to me. I was her security. As she relaxed, she realized that the water was not going to hurt her. Since that ONE bath, she has grown to love baths and will even try to climb into the sink when we are washing dishes!
As your child ages, they will begin to develop fears caused by their active imagination. Many children who are preschool aged are afraid of the dark, ghosts, monsters, unknown noises, and so forth. There is a great idea on Pinterest to remove the monsters from the home with a Monster Spray.
It is important to know that even though your child is in school, fears do not go away. They become geared towards realistic problems. Fear of water can be due to a fear of drowning. Some of the common causes of fears and phobias in children over the age of 7 include:
- Natural Disasters
- House Fire
- Death
- Stage Fright
- Physical Injury
- Abduction
What are some fears your children have?
Heather it is amazing how events in our childhood can trigger phobia in our lives even today.
ReplyDeleteHeather, They say you are only born with 2 natural fears - loud noises and falling. All the other fears are learned.
ReplyDeleteWell, I know that my daughter who was afraid of water did not learn it. ALL of my children love baths so she didn't hear anyone screaming or complaining about baths. LOL
DeleteSeparation anxiety and fear of strangers are both natural fears that come as your child ages. They are not learned fears either. :)
Hi Heather. Although my daughter is long grown, she became afraid of the dark when she was a toddler. A night lamp solved that problem, but it took a few nights to figure out what it was. Thanks for an informative post.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Leslie