My daughter is afraid of Ghosts and it is causing anxiety and sleep problems.?

Question

I heard you shouldn't tell children ghosts don't exist but how do I allay her fears while not diminishing her belief in herself?

Answer 1

Things that seem silly to adults are real to children.

If she got these fears from a story or movie, reassure her that THOSE weren't real.

Ask her if she has ever seen one in the house. Reassure her that you are always there for her to be protected and nothing would happen to her. Also explain to her that no one has ever been hurt by a ghost, should one exist.

Perhaps a nightlight (GE makes one that turns different colors, have her assist you in buying it) would help during this time. Read her silly, fun, upbeat stories before bed. Let her listen to soothing music, or "white noise".

I hope some of this helps. Good luck!

Answer 2

When does she see it? Is it when she has to take a nap (she hates naps), a bath (she wants to go outside and play), or something else she doesn't want to do? Or does she see him all the time, no matter where she is or who is in the room w/ her? With kids, it's kinda hard to tell. I believe in the supernatural, so who knows, maybe she is encountering a spirit of some sort. Try to get her to describe it to you. Is it a man, like daddy? Or a boy like little Bobby next door? You get what I mean. Is he mean to you? Does he say bad things? Some of these things may be hard to get from a 2.5 year old, but you never know. And that might be a problem w/ trying to calm her down, too. Because even if you don't see anything and say "It's ok honey, there's nothing there" it doesn't mean that there isn't, and she may not believe you. It might not make her stop imagining, either, if that's what's going on. Do you attend church, or believe in God? If so, and you're comfortable with it, you might have your priest talk to her. Or even check out the area she sees the ghost in. I'm not saying that there IS something there (at about 2-3 years is when nightmares start) but you never know. Maybe a night-light if she sees it mostly in the dark? Maybe tell her something like the night-light will protect her and keep it away. Also, some peope may recommend an exhorcism, or to bless the house. Blessing the house (if it's an evil spirit) will only worsen things. An exhorcism may help, but be careful of scams!!!

Answer 3

This is in 'mental health', my reply isn't going to be welcome here I'll bet...

Lol. I personally believe in ghosts and that kiddo's see them and also some adults with psychic ability. Kids are naturally psychic to some degree and it phases out when they get older.

Either way, if ghosts exist or don't exist - would it hurt to teach her to tell the ghost/s to go Home, go to God, or look for the white light? I've heard and read that ghosts don't realize they are dead and are confused. They go away most times if they are talked over to the other side. Or if ghosts don't exist, then maybe it's a constructive way of making ghosts less scary; like leaving cookie crumbs from the closet to the front door so monsters can find their way out and go away...?

I'm fully prepared for lots of 'thumbs' down for my answer...I just wish people would be a bit more open minded about things like this. : ) Not everything automatically has to be the result of someone's imagination. Ask her if she's seen one or if she's just afraid she might because of tv or stories. If she says she sees them, do some research on that before you think to discredit - it's very common. Especially deceased loved ones come visit the kids often after they've crossed to heaven they pop back in sometimes.

I've heard so many stories of toddler age kids being by themself in a room, but they're 'talking' to 'granny' (whom they've never met) on the baby monitor, etc.

Answer 4

Help her to talk to them. Really if she feels she has the power to make them leave her alone she will sleep better. Have her tell the ghost(s) that they are dead and need to go to the light and leave her alone. There are any number of ways to empower her to believe she is in control of this situation. She is probably having trouble with some other issues and this is how she is coping. By allowing this fantasy to play out to an end (the ghost has to leave) she will have a way to dismiss her concern.
There are those who would say she needs "protection" but this is more about her having control. Just have her be the boss and tell them to leave it will work. Good Luck!

Answer 5

When my son was young he had a fear of ghosts and monsters. I helped him by getting a can of air freshener! I put a new label on it that said "ghost spray". Every night before bed, we would spray in all the 'scary' places (under the bed, closet, etc) I don't know if that would help your daughter, but it couldn't hurt. Good luck :)

Answer 6

Let her watch Casper and Monsters Inc., I don't know for sure that it will help, but it may.

You can tell her that no one knows for sure if ghosts exist or not, and the reason no one knows is because they have never done anything bad. Ghosts, if they even are real, can't hurt you, they can only scare you, like the monsters in Monsters Inc.

Answer 7

Are you Christian? Talk to her about how God/Jesus is always there for her and angels are always surrounding her bed. Let her watch the Veggie Tales video "Where's God When I'm Scared?" It's a story about a boy who is afraid of the dark and of monsters in his room and how he learns that God is bigger and tougher than anything, so he should never be afraid. It's really cute.

My kids used to be afraid of the "boogeyman". I would tell them, you don't need to be afraid of the boogeyman, he just does this - and I would tickle them while shouting "boogey, boogey, boogey!" They would laugh like crazy and wouldn't be afraid anymore. We also liked to play soothing lullaby tapes at night or just classical music to put the kids in a sleepy mood at night.

Answer 8

teach her about god, and that he is supreme and that if she prays to god he will protect her. because if you teach her there is no such thing as ghosts , next it will be monsters under the bed ect.
i wonder if this sort of thing is a child realising there are evil forces and dangers at work in the world- so become afraid of the unknown, because not knowing can make one potentially vulnerable.

Answer 9

try talking to her and calm her down by giving her books for children with ghost characters in it.. let her know it does not exist and is something in our mind .. explain at a level she can understand... depending on her age you can perhaps seek outside help from a counselor or if she still feeling disturbed contact a psychology..hope it gets better =)

Answer 10

your daughter need visit to village shaman who then will make daughter yours that is ghost proof. if you tell him Masbuhl sent you, you probably but maybe kinda can get him to make daughter yours yeti proof as well.

sorry for me not making the good englishes, i am not yet learned in glorious american media culture.

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