For the past wk, my 8 yr old daughter has been more clingy, emotional and scare of death. If her dad and I go out she is constantly trying to find out when are we coming home. She told me last nite she was scared of dying and scared of her parents dying.
Is this normal? What are normal emotions for an 8 yr old?
2006-08-29 02:48:09 · 22 answers · asked by wowcanusayit 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
its normal for kids to be clingy at a certain age but the fact that shes scared of death,I'm not sure, did she watch a show that she shouldn't of?? ask her. Let her watch lion king 1,there's a part in there when the son asks his dad to promises he will always be there, i like the explanation he gave, just reassure her but let her know its life and things happen.
what you all can do to is instead of her calling you all freaking out that your not back, call her once in awhile to see how she's doing,the phase will finish soon.
2006-08-29 03:15:01 · answer #1 · answered by killbill 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something triggered this, it's not one of those fears that pops up out of nowhere really so determine the trigger to solve the problem.
It could have been a friend talking about losing her parent, grandparent etc. or TV or who knows but ask her why she's afraid and without too much detail let her know that everyone passes when it's time but it's not going to be your time for a long time. Let her know that you are safe when you go out, you always wear your seatbelts and drive the speed limit, etc.
I think it's important for you to not dismiss her fear but explain how important it is to LIVE and what you are doing to be safe.
Depending on your beliefs you can talk about that as well, whether you will be an angel that will always look out for her etc. but since death is a reality I would pay it more attention than I would a 'normal' fear (height, flying etc.)
Learning about her own mortality, or yours, is normal but the fear is what is not. (although we are all afraid of the unknown to some extent) it's important she focuses on life, living every day and making the most of what time she has.
2006-08-29 09:56:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
20 years ago I would've said "no, that is not normal..." but nowadays, we not only have VERY graphic shows on television, but we are at war. We've been at war in the past, but never was it so graphically displayed on television by the media. Everyday you can see a new and horrific way a human can die, no matter what age. I have an 8 year old brother and he has been talking about and fearing death since about 6 or 7. As horrible as it sounds...yes I would say it is very normal given the society we are raising our children in today. Hope that helps! :)
2006-08-29 09:56:21 · answer #3 · answered by Figuring things out... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she has recently encountered death this will be the first time in her life that she really understands what its about. Has a school friend lost a grandparent or something, best thing to do is talk to her about it and tell her its natural and ok. My Grandad (Dad) and gran (Mum) Died when i was only 2 and 3 and i never understood what it was about, not until my grandad remarried did i actually understand that this new woman was not my real Gran.
2006-08-29 10:04:02 · answer #4 · answered by poli_b2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is very normal. Around that age is when you first begin to realize what death really is, and it's scary for a child to think about. Simply reassure her and be gentle to her and soon the fear will pass, or at least not be so big.
2006-08-29 09:55:06 · answer #5 · answered by Kelly D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
has there been a recent death in the family???
if not, she shouldn't really know ANYTHING about it.. so now the question is... who's been talking to your 8 year old about something so friggin serious!!!
i would sit down and really talk to her... not talk AT her but TO her...
explain to her that mommy and daddy are just going out for a while and will come in to her when we get home to say we are here and all is fine...
but seriously.. i would find out how (or why) she knows anything about the word!
2006-08-29 09:58:57 · answer #6 · answered by mouse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is normal if she has watched anything scary on TV in the past couple of weeks or if she was in a nearly fatal accident or possibly even has friends that talk about it alot.
2006-08-29 09:54:22 · answer #7 · answered by Alex 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your child is under stress. Something is going on.
Do you allow her to watch horror movies? Or maybe there was something in the school ( parents or class mate death), maybe she saw you and your husband fight. There could be tons of reasons.
Reassure her in your love. When children feel secure they do not have such fears. Talk with her about God and angels.
2006-08-29 10:01:31 · answer #8 · answered by out-of-blue-sent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My grandaughter is a worryer, and things she's taught at school plays on her mind she came home not so long back crying cos she didn't want mammy daddy and nan to die this upset us all to see her so distressed but after talking to other mothers in the playground i would say all little ones go through this i just tell her lovely stories about how angels are looking after her gr8 grandpa. hope this puts your mind at ease
2006-08-29 09:59:04 · answer #9 · answered by Netty o 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fear of death is a normal reaction for all ages - what sparked the fear? Did you ask her that...probably something she read or heard. So you need to find out what started all this. Good luck.
2006-08-29 09:54:20 · answer #10 · answered by doc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋