2006-12-05 11:40:27 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Yes I think it is normal for an 8 year old to be scared of the dark. Heck, some adults are still scared of the dark. Hopefully it is just a phase, and s/he will grow out of it with time. Until then, just be patient with the child. If you have to walk the whole room 10 times a night to show the child there isnt' anything to be afraid of then do so. If the child is too scared to sleep by themselves, let the child camp out in your room for a few nights, but let the child know she or he will have to try sleeping in their own room soon. Good luck!!
2006-12-05 11:45:41 · answer #1 · answered by Christel P 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am 17 years old and I am still afraid of the dark. I have a TV in my room and I always have to have the TV on with the volume on 1 and the sleep timer on. It's not that I want to watch TV, it's just that I feel more comfortable with some light in the room.
I can be without light sometimes, after my eyes get used to the way the room is with the TV on, but if there is a noise (like the tree outside hits my window or something), I turn the TV right back on. It's not that I am dumb enough not to distinguish the difference between a robber and the tree that has been there all my life, it's just that the human instincts inside me make it scary for me to have the lights off and hear that noise.
So to answer your question, your child is perfectly normal. I think the WORST thing you could do is to let him/her sleep in the bed or the room with you. That will only lead to an even tougher transition later. If she needs a night light, then let her have one, but encourage her to sleep in her room on her own.
Just make sure that before bed you show her that everything is alright, maybe stay in the room for a few minutes and read with her. One of you turn on the nightlight, turn the real light off, say goodnight, and promise to come back and check on her again later. THEN make sure you actually go back and check on her so she knows she can trust you.
Good luck!
2006-12-05 13:40:18 · answer #2 · answered by Jessica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was scared of the dark until I was probally around 11 and I beleave that was abnormal but at 8 thats pretty normal you'll probaly over come the fear in a year or two but as far as not wanting to sleep alone I'm not sure I would say it's a side package to being scared of the dark so you're in the clear right now.
If it helps if you lay there a moment with your eyes open it can be kinda scarey but your eye's will adjust and you will see there is nothing to be scared of.
2006-12-05 11:49:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether it is normal or not, I don't know. But I can tell you that if you let your child watch a lot of scarey things, like the news (graphic images of war, etc.) or movies, even tho everyone thinks that is fine, it will ruin them for being able to sleep by themselves at night! They have scarey images in their mind, and it fuels their imaginations. Also, if you have always let your child sleep with you , then they have not learned to have the confidence they need to know that they can make it through the night alone and be ok. Hope you help them before it becomes much more of a habit!
2006-12-05 11:54:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 8 year old wont sleep in the dark at all. We leave a low wattage light on for her at night.
2006-12-06 01:05:40 · answer #5 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is normal....a night light should help and also if you leave the door cracked just a little it may help....i know adults that are still scared of the dark and can only sleep with a night light... "a friend" of mine has to sleep with her night light everynight!!
2006-12-05 11:49:17 · answer #6 · answered by jark79 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sure I'm 26 and am terrified of the dark. I don't mind sleeping alone but I like to be in the biggest most open room of my house in case someone does try to break in......then again if someone asked this question about me when I was 8 maybe I wouldn't have this problem.....hmmmm...
2006-12-05 11:49:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've allowed the 8 year old to previously sleep with you, end up in your bed or room, if that 8 year old has never learned to fall asleep on their own without you soothing them, if theyre sick, have been sick for a long time, had something frightning happen at night... or something along those lines, yeah. It would be normal.
Its not typical thought.
I was 19 and had to sleep on my roommates bedroom floor some nights. My mom never made me sleep in my own room, and now, even at 23, I have nights where i cant sleep unless my husband is in the room with me. now THATS not normal.
Its important to teach your kid how to sleep on their own, and how to feel safe in theri own room. That doesnt happen by you being there or by them leaving the room. Dont let your kid end up like me.
2006-12-05 11:45:04 · answer #8 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I guess it is.. He probably got used to sleeping with someone or having the light on when he is sleeping. He'll grow out of it soon if you encourage him that there is nothing to be scared of. Just tell him it is ok to leave the light off. Nothing will happen to you. I guess that is all I need to say.
2006-12-05 11:51:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah i think its normal... im 13 now and i STILL have a night light and this huge bear that i have 2 have all night or else i cant sleep and start freaking out about the dark and whats in my closet... lol
2006-12-05 12:15:00 · answer #10 · answered by ... 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋