At 8/01/2007 09:23:00 AM, Erin
My boys went through the same thing with spiders. As toddlers, it was just like you described. Nowadays there isn't the hysteria but they still try to get me to come kill spiders for them - except I think now they are afraid of spiders simply out of habit. (PS I don't kill them except on rare occasions. Usually I catch them and set them free outside.)
I don't know what to tell you about how to assuage her fears - nothing I've tried has worked for the fear of spiders. But I think it's normal for toddlers to have things they have an unfounded fear of.
One thing I've found to be helpful with my kids when they freak out about anything is to act very matter-of-fact about whatever the issue is. I just downplay the whole thing, don't call attention to it, don't bring it up unless they do, generally ignore it. Then when the thing (whatever it is) does appear on the horizon, I treat it as common and nothing to be afraid of. I don't force them to unafraid of it. But I don't get all over it either.
So ... if I'd had something like that happen. I'd just keep reassuring her that the snake is gone, that it's a toy and nothing to be afraid of and that she's safe in her playroom. That no matter what else, she's always safe in her playroom, that's what you're there for as her parents ... to make sure her play areas are safe. You would never put something yucky like a real snake in her toy box. But ... I'd only answer the questions she asks as she asks them. Which is hard to do, because we think so much further ahead than kids do. Lots of snuggles and playing and reading with favorite toys should be helpful.
Yes ... she will grow out of it! She may even surprise you one day by being very interested in snakes. Or not.
Oh and btw ... it doesn't end as they get older.
You may recall that my daughter (13) is dealing with a knee injury right now. It's not too serious, but it's going to take some perseverance to recover.
This morning she came downstairs and said, worriedly, "Mom, I've got a welt on my kneecap. I don't know where it came from." She showed it to me and began taking her brace off and I began asking her questions about it, what it felt like, etc. In my mind, I began freaking out, envisioning another dr's visit and now a new diagnosis, possibly surgery, etc. Definitely leukemia! Where on earth could this welt have come from ...
... when she said, "Oh and it really itches too." It was a BUG BITE!!! LOL ... so my policy of maintaining a cool facade paid off. But ... OMG.
My oldest daughter (4) is afraid of being alone or in the dark. This is problematic at night as she has a bed time that is earlier than my own or my wife's. The best thing I have found to help her is praying with her. We pray that Jesus will have His angels watch over her, that He'll take the bad dreams away and send good one's.
At 8/02/2007 10:21:00 AM, Walls Down Church Kids
Don't ya just love trying to figure out what is going on with kids sometimes--that's the most frustrating part of parenting. That may not get any better (try to figure out why a teen is upset and won't talk--could be huge or that he had a pimple and someone commented!). The fear of snakes may or may not change--either way as she gets older she can understand it a little more. btw--I still jump on countertops and scream when I see a mouse!
She is just being careful to clarify her distaste for snakes so she never would be considered for Slytherin house. :)