My just turn 3 year old girl, is extreamly outgoing, she loves people, she says hi to everyone on the streets. Yesterday, she saw a few cockroaches in the house she kind of panic for a moment, started yelling and what I did was just hugged her and nurture her. How do I make her confront the situation and make her stronger, I don't want her to be scare of anything....Mom
2006-12-23 01:00:36 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
ummmm no offense but...exterminator?? Anyway don't feel bad. I still run and scream when I see a cockarocha
2006-12-23 01:02:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
OK people. Cockroaches happen. Not everyone lives in a place where an exterminator can get rid of them. We live right next to the woods and have a hard time keeping rid of them ourselves. Also, people who live in apartment buildings could have problems. Just because she saw a cockroach does not mean the house is filthy!
As for the fear, you may not be able to get her past it. Some people have fear of things that to others seem irrational. The only way I got one of my kids past the fear of moths was to hold one and show him. Now he catches moths from the back deck all the time.
However, you probably don't want your toddler playing with the roaches. ;) I think you are doing right to hold her and reassure her.
We don't want our children to have fears, but having some fear is healthy. You wouldn't want her to walk up to and pick up a snake that could be poisonous. Maybe you should help her more with how she reacts to that fear.
Good luck!
2006-12-23 01:20:31 · answer #2 · answered by Sherral 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
aside from just getting rid of the cockroaches.. I would say that you should hold her and nurture her, and then when she is a little calmer try to explain to her that they are just little bugs, and more scared of her than she is of them. Don't force the issue, but just take some time to talk about it in an upbeat manner. Once she sees that you aren't scared she will be OK. Teaching your young child about things that she is scared of takes away the unknown and she will be a little less frightened.
I would also just like to say that you will not create a fearful child by holding and nurturing them when they need it most.
2006-12-23 01:11:10 · answer #3 · answered by kimberly b 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay, people, different parts of the country have different varieties of roaches. People in the North and Northeast associate cockroaches with filth and infestation and disease. In the South and Southwest, what we call cockroaches are really a completely different bug than in the North and EVERYONE has them in their houses from time-to-time. They come inside from the outside to find water in your pipes or to get out of the cold. Get off the lady's back about the bugs!
Now, your daughter is scared and you comforted her--good for you! It's wonderful for your daughter to have a loving mom. What I would take from that experience--anytime she has a strong emotional reaction to something, take the chance to NAME the emotion for her. When you are hugging her, say "You look scared. Are you scared?" Also, "Wow, that's a big bug. It startled me!" or "I was surprised when I saw that bug! What about you?" When she's calm you can talk about being scared and simple ways to feel better (take a deep breath, squeeze your hands together, sit down, etc.).
You can also talk about bugs for a number of days, just academically. Go to the library and check out books about insects. Some kids are always going to have that reaction to bugs, some will get over it. There is a huge individual variation (and it doesn't break down by gender as much as you think it does) and your daughter will learn how to deal with her feelings with your help.
EVen if she's still scared, learning how to deal with fear is important for all of us.
2006-12-23 03:14:41 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's part of life to have some fear. You don't want her having none and entering into every situation thinking nothing bad can ever happen. Cockroaches are gross, I kindof can't blame her. That seems pretty normal to me.
You're smart to try to make her strong and confident, but you can't expect her to have no fear ever. You don't want her jumping out of a tree because she has no fear, or picking up a nasty cockroach because she has no fear.
2006-12-23 02:52:14 · answer #5 · answered by Jilli Bean 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a teenager and I'm scared of cockroaches too! U not supposed to b or sumthin? I thought everybody wuz, u let me kno when u find a cure for the phobia, I'd sure like to!
2006-12-23 01:04:59 · answer #6 · answered by Princess Jeri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't blame her... I wouldn't be thrilled about living with cockroaches.
I would try and get the conditions under control with an exterminator.
If you rent, a landlord should be responsible for the costs.
In the mean time, I would show her that they are just a bug and will not hurt her.
2006-12-23 03:55:09 · answer #7 · answered by erinjl123456 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
humm, yes toddlers are scared of any strangers things they see. for the old who are afraid of cockroaches is normal for we all know that that is the dirtiest insects.. but having a cockroach bites is better than having bites of mosquitos it might cause Malaria.
here are some advices: why dont you educate your daughter about insects and let her know about insects especially cockroach and teach her not to worry because that is no harm just tell her to keep away from it because that insect is bad. thats all..
2006-12-23 01:15:03 · answer #8 · answered by hotchixxxz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm 14 and i'm still jump on the couch if I see a roach, so there really isn't much you can do about it especially if she's only 3 except call the exterminator.
2006-12-23 01:13:39 · answer #9 · answered by Stunnas on got my stunnas on 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 43 and hate cock roaches!!!
Care for your kid an get an exterminator .If you can't afford one I'm sure there are state agencies that will help with paying for one.
It's not so much a scare issues,but the diseases roaches carry.
2006-12-23 01:43:01 · answer #10 · answered by freebird_237 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Umm... get an exterminator. Maybe that will "cure" her. I can't say I would be too excited to see a cockroach.
2006-12-23 01:06:28 · answer #11 · answered by zinntwinnies 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋