Help with Nightmares

Updated on March 10, 2010
B.C. asks from Round Rock, TX
8 answers

My 3 1/2 year old has started having nightmares. I know this isn't uncommon for children, but her's is a recurring one. My daughter has never seen a real alligator, but she is terrified of them getting her in her room. According to what she can share with me, they have been getting her knees or just in her room. We've thought about getting her a stuffed alligator, but so far the ones we've seen don't look very friendly. Any sugguestions on how we can help her through this?

The nightmares first started when my husband was out of town on a business trip, but that's not the only time they've happened.

Thanks!

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

This may sound crazy but it worked with our son when he was afraid of ghosts. We told him we were going to the store to get him "ghost spray". I took a squirt bottle, filled it with water and made a label for it. We told him only to use it if he was sure a ghost or monster was in the room or approaching. We also told him that ghosts can smell it and won't come in when they know you have it. It worked like a charm. He kept it next to his bed and sometimes we'd spray it around before he went to bed. Some mornings he'd wake up and tell us he scared off the ghosts! I think you can try some alligator spray! Good luck.

3 moms found this helpful
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D.S.

answers from New York on

I am not an expert but the alligator may not actually be the problem. You said your husband went out of town, maybe she was afraid you and her would be hurt without daddy around to protect you both. The fear could have manifested itself as an alligator attack. Was she frightened or asking questions about daddy not being there? For the time being talk to her and reassure her that she is safe when she sleeps with mommy there or daddy there. Also, maybe give her a night light sometimes the dark can make things worse. Good luck I am sure it will pass!

3 moms found this helpful
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R.L.

answers from Houston on

Try making some alligator repellent. Get a spray bottle and you can fill it with water and label it Alligator Spray. Then spray around her room before she goes to bed. Make sure to check the closet and under the bed before bed time. This worked for the monsters for a boy I used to care for.

Good luck!

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D.F.

answers from Austin on

My son has a very active imagination and has had several different nightmares over the past 2 years, bordering on night ____@____.com hasn't had any for about 4 months or so now. He's 4 now, and he has his specific routine, light, air purifier, and stuffed animals and those help. He now has so many I wonder how he fits in his bed! But - he's finally sleeping!

Cute alligators ____@____.com have 2! My son now likes to have families of animals, or at the very least mommy and baby. I've seen them in Leander and @ the 620/Anderson Mill locations. Good luck and be patient and loving.

L.A.

answers from Austin on

The squirt bottle with water works great so do dream coins.
To me and you they look like quarters but to your child they are actually talisman placed under her pillow will keep her safe.. They travel well too if you are not home..

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A.L.

answers from Austin on

Our daughter - four nexxt month - had a thing for monsters for a while. We told her there is a friendly monster named Clyde who lives in the garage. His job is to keep the mean monsters away. It's worked so far.

Maybe your daughter needs a monster under the bed?

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J.S.

answers from San Antonio on

My daughter started having recurring nightmares about bugs when she was the same age. They started when my husband was working out of town for 3 months. She said the light was the only way she could sleep so we started leaving the closet light on for her. That helps most of the nights.

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S.M.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi this is going to sound a little crazy, but i interpret dreams. Your dreams are your way of working out some issues that you are unable to work out when you are awake. Most dreams are very symbolic, and don't mean what you might think that they would mean. Dreams about alligators are really about verbal expression. I would suggest that you sit down with her, and lovingly encourage her to tell you how she feels ( Maybe about her daddy being gone) maybe about something else. But she needs to express her thoughts verbally, and then perhaps the nightmares will go away. Good luck! S.

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