I let him watch the movie "The Exorcist", and then told him if he dont stop this **** being scared then I'm going to lock him in his room with audio of that movie playing outside the door all night long. Tell me I am doing the right thing. It gets on my nerves him being scared at night. Will it work?
2007-01-19 01:58:02 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Good gracious no...threats will only make it worse. here is what I would suggest. Sit down and talk to him about the difference between tv and reality. Explain to him that although movies can be scary that doesn't mean they are real. No one really was hurt, that they get paid to act like this and go home at night just like everyone else.
Secondly, go to his room with him and turn off all the lights. Talk to him and help him identify shadows in the room. Help to see that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Third of all, before you put him to bed go in his room and help him look under the bed, and the closet and so on to reassure him there is no boogie men to be afraid of.
Finally, no more horror movies. I am 40 and cannot watch the exorcist without fear myself. Call a wussy fine but that is not an appropriate movie for a child.
2007-01-19 02:03:40 · answer #1 · answered by bluebettalady 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"The Exorcist" scared the SH** out me too, and I was an adult when I watched it. I hope you are kidding about your punishment for him being scared, he's a child and needs to be reassured time and time again that he is safe, no matter how many times it takes. Even if it means staying up late to comfort him.
Keep his door open a little bit with the hall light on, or a night light.
Next time think before you let a 6 year old watch an movie like that.
2007-01-22 10:44:00 · answer #2 · answered by Kris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No -- this will not work. You can't shame or punish a child for being legitimately scared. It's normal for him to be scared even without images of the Exorcist bumping around in his little head. Punishing him and swearing at him will only confuse him and make him think that the one person who is supposed to support him at all costs, maybe doesn't support or love him. Fear is inside -- it's not him being defiant. It's like telling him not to breathe, not to get hungry, or not to pee...Leave a light on outside his room and be done with it. I have two six year olds and that's what I do. There are bigger issues to tackle. And don't let him watch any more scary movies...that's not going to make your life any easier.
2007-01-19 02:08:04 · answer #3 · answered by Liza 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You seem like a un-caring mother. You shouldn't let him watch the movie. When I saw the movie, it even had me alittle scared at night. So stop being so damn mean. He will get over the movie in due time (no less than 1 or 2 weeks). Help him to realize that the movie isn't real...but, if you are yelling at him and threating him then it will only make it worse. Right now, he is sort-of traumatized after seeing such a dramatic movie. RELAX!
2007-01-19 02:08:44 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Children six and under are more likely to be afraid of the dark, particularly children between four and six. That's because they're old enough to think up scary stuff but too young to control the scary thoughts. Being in the dark makes them think more, and they cannot see what is going on.
I used to leave the light on for my son until he fell asleep. I would tell him that I'd turn it off once he was alseep, but his room still had a nightlight and I would leave the hall light on as well. When my son got to be seven he all-of-a-sudden, one night, said, "I don't want the light on." Problem solved. It was shortly after his seventh birthday.
Your job is make your child feel safer when he's scared. Your job is to understand that he's a child, and he'll be going through one fear after another until he matures (fear of the dark, fear of fire in house, fear of burglars, fear that you'll die, fear of lightning).
Even when kids don't let you know they're nervous about what scares them, they all go through these phases because as they get older their get more capable of seeing the potential bad things that can happen. Fear of the dark is probably one of the most basic and first fears children have until they mature enough to put things in perspective and get some control of running-wild imaginations.
The fact that your child (your LITTLE child) is going through this phase shouldn't "get on your nerves", and if it does you should hide that from him. He needs you to be the one who'll say, "Hey - lots of kids your age are afraid of the dark, so we'll leave the light on for now." If leaving a light on for him for now is the thing that will get rid of his fear why the heck wouldn't you do that?
If you do something to make him more afraid when he is afraid that is pretty much psychological or emotional abuse of him.
The fact that a small child's fear of the dark "gets on your nerves" is a sign that you have the issue, not your child, who has the perfectly normal stage of being afraid of the dark.
And - NO - you are not doing the right thing. He will remember for the rest of his life that when he was afraid you made it worse and did not understand and make him feel safe.
2007-01-19 05:18:32 · answer #5 · answered by WhiteLilac1 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First of all..... no wonder he's afraid of the dark. What on earth made you think a 6 yr old could handle that movie?? At 6 they don't see any clear lines between make believe and real. Good luck getting him over this one. I'm sorry for being mean, but you deserve this trouble. After all......... you caused it.
2007-01-19 04:31:55 · answer #6 · answered by kim h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't be serious!!!! Your just making the matter worse!!
This child needs a mom who loves and is understanding of his fear, not one who torments him....that's just awful of you!
If he was scared before of the dark, I only can imagine now how petrified he must be now, with the threats you made.
Show him some comfort and reassurance while he shares with you his fears, rather than the threats you shove at him.
A nightlight in any room he goes into at night would help alot also ( his bedroom, the hallway and in the bathroom.)
2007-01-19 03:33:49 · answer #7 · answered by Trina A 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ye night light or leave his room door open slighlty so he has light he will eventually get used to the door being closed if you do it gradually.
2007-01-19 02:12:59 · answer #8 · answered by blakorkid 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
night lite, not a plug in. a light with a time dimmer on.
you can get these from the bigger shop such as ikea.
2007-01-19 02:02:53 · answer #9 · answered by london2007 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get nightlights and show him that there is nothing under the bed or in the closet
2007-01-19 03:41:37 · answer #10 · answered by Brand.New 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋