My five year old son has recently developed a fear of the sounds the heater makes. It is a very loud ticking and banging noise. I don't have a backup plan and I live in Maine, so the need for heat is definite. I also live in an apartment, so the moral is that he is going to have to find a way to accept and deal with the sounds.
Problem is I have hardly carried a wink of sleep and I am getting very frustrated at this point. Any suggestions on how to handle this situation? I am a parent of 4 children (2) five year olds (1) 8 year old and an 8 month old baby, and consider myself a good father, but a good father always asks for advice ;)
2006-12-07 01:43:43 · 9 answers · asked by ☺ PeeJ ☺ 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Good answers so far. I have definitely already explained what the noises are about, but I havent sat with him while they were happening and explained each one. That might be part of the solution. Thanks so far keep the answers coming!
2006-12-07 01:53:21 · update #1
explain the noise to him. tell him what is making the sound. show him the heater if you can and tell him its just this machine making the house warm for us. Say it in a good way and act really happy about it. good luck.
2006-12-07 01:47:57 · answer #1 · answered by littleluvkitty 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well if this just up and occurred suddenly, than the child may have seen something on TV or heard someone talk about a scary incident that involved noises, which may caused the child to all a sudden be scared of this. First off if the child is allowed to watch scary shows or movies (mine loves them) don't let him anymore until this fear goes away.
Really all you can do is reassure him that it's okay, explain to him that the sound is keeping you warm, if there's no sound than you guys would get cold. If there's any way to show him what's making the noise then do that and give him the explaination that it keeps the whole family warm so you like it to make that sound, if it stopped making the sound then it's broke and it would be too cold. Just ask him questions like "you don't want your brothers and sisters to get cold do you?" Good luck
2006-12-07 01:55:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Can you put something else in his room that will make a consant steady noise while he sleeps to help cover the sound a bit? We use to have a mommy bear that made a sound similar to a sounds heard in the womb. That worked well to camoflague certain trigger sounds that would wake her up. Now I am not suggesting a mommy bear for a 5 year old though. Maybe a fan running or a little TV or a radio played a just the right volume would be comforting for him.
That would be my first angle give it a try.
2006-12-07 01:56:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though he knows what they are, he associates them with scary things, I would try to think of something happy that could be making the same noises. The banging could be little boy elves practicing their drums and the ticking can be little girl sprites practicing there dance. Or something to do with action figure toys.I don't know it's hard to think of something good without actually hearing the noise. Just pick something that he likes and put a positive spin on it. Yes he'll know it's pretend, but it may help him cope.
2006-12-07 02:41:58 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to the suggested above, show him other things that make unpleasant or loud noises and what good they do for you (hoover cleans, mixer prepares dough for cookies, etc.) Good luck and sleep tight!
2006-12-07 01:52:49 · answer #5 · answered by Julia S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sit in front of the heater with him and listen to the noises. Explain what each one is (even if you have to make it up). We fear the unknown. Once he knows what they are, he won't be afraid of them anymore.
2006-12-07 01:49:38 · answer #6 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
could you get his ears tested he may have sensative hearing and the noises bother them at an extreme we can not understand.
I have an autistic 6 year old with very sensative ears and we know some noises bother him . it is learning how to cope that is hard and a docters advise may help out. it does help us when we call for advise
2006-12-07 01:58:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you could have him try to "fix it" with you. Open it up so he can see inside and when you can't "fix it" then he'll know you tried and that he's seen inside first hand.
2006-12-07 01:54:25 · answer #8 · answered by Mum2Boys 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your not beating him hard enough!!
2006-12-07 01:54:53 · answer #9 · answered by notsopresident 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋