Our 3 year old daughter is deathly afraid of drains we dont know why or how we have never told her she will be sucked down one or anything like that. But due to her fear of drains potty training so far is going on in the living room which for now I dont mind but we will need her to use the toilet and being so afraid to go because it drains. We have touched the bathtub drain and sink drains in front of her empty, full, and while draining to show her its safe but she screams like she is going to die.
2006-12-19 12:32:29 · 7 answers · asked by girlie1921 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
It may not be much a help, but I remember a Rugrats episode about being scared of drains. It was actually cute and my kids loved it. Not sure if you are familar with the show any, but Tommy (the baby on the show) was scared of drains and in the end overcame his fear completely. I'd really suggest somehow getting ahold of it and having her watch that.
Good luck!
2006-12-19 13:48:24 · answer #1 · answered by Mish B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 year olds have wonderful, active imaginations dont' they!
Don't make light of her fears. They may seem silly and irrational, but they're very real and serious to her. Try not to smile or be dismissive when she reacts with fright to, say, a flushing toilet. Let her know you understand how it feels to be afraid of something. If you're reassuring and comforting, she'll learn that it's okay to feel afraid and it's best to deal with her fears.
Explain, expose, and explore. A scared toddler can sometimes get over a fright if you provide a simple, rational explanation for what's worrying her. You may put an end to her fear of being sucked down the drain along with the bathwater by saying, "Water and bubbles can go down the drain, but rubber duckies and children can't."
Here is a link to apage about this subject http://www.babycenter.com/expert/toddler/toddlerbehavior/12661.html
Although it suggests not giving your child a bath, just washing her off instead, until she overcomes the fear, not exactly helpful or reasonable. If she's anything like my 3 year old some days they HAVE to have a bath!
My son is the same way about haircuts. HE used to love them until about 6months ago and now I swear it's the most horrible thing! I tried cutting it myself and that didn't help. Changed hairdresser, didn't help. Got my hair cut 1st (8 inches off!!) that didn't help. Tried to bribe him with coke, gum, candy and a toy (he doesn't get coke, gum or candy very often) that didn't help-he decided he no longer wanted the candy if it ment getting a haircut! LOL
I understand and which I could help but all I can dois to let you know you're not alone and she will eventually grow out of it!
2006-12-19 12:50:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just ignore it. Let her have her potty where she wants. As she gets older, she'll realize her fear is irrational. Especially when she sees you around drains all the time and nothing happens. The more you talk about it, the more she'll make a fuss.
If you're desperate, try getting those brightly colored drain covers. Just place them on the drains and don't say anything to her.
2006-12-19 12:44:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
three yr olds are infamous for buying unusual recommendations into their heads. Stop looking to supply him showers. Will he now not get into the bathtub in any respect? Then supply him a sponge tub for a couple of days. Keep empowering him towards the spiders -- uncover a few external and allow him SMOOOSH them. Or different insects. Talk approximately how BIG he's and the way SMALL spiders are. If his fears are fairly so out of manage that he pees himself, and if he continues fixating in this, you must search a psychologist's support. Ask your medical professional. Fixating on matters would be a signal of Asberger's (sp?) syndrome - a moderate type of autism.
2016-09-03 16:53:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show her that it cannot hurt her. Turn on the water and show her that she cannot be sucked in. I used to be scared of the same thing. My mom took me to the kitchen sink and filled it with water and made me stick my hand in it. I realized that the drain does not bite and that it wont kill me. Another thing that may happen is that your daughter may just have to grow out of her fears if nothing elese works.
2006-12-19 12:56:43 · answer #5 · answered by Kailey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She will grow over it, that is real common with toddlers.
2006-12-19 12:45:43 · answer #6 · answered by jcshields74 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show her she will never fit. She's way too big for the hole.
2006-12-19 12:37:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋