(ReLQ) My Nephew Always Says He Sees Shadows.?

Question

He only visits me 2x a month. At night he constantly grinds his teeth. Says doesn't like to have covers covering him as it gives him nightmares. Says he doesn't like to sleep over my house. I ask him further but he won't say anything else. Just says he sees shadows in my window? One time was having a nightmare and was thrashing and saying: "I hate you." Is it possible that something is going on at his home whether arguments, or cussing, because in my home we teach him about love, respect, and God, and there is no foul language. Your thoughts.

Would you say this is more of a spiritual matter or what. He is only 5 years old.

Answer 1

Sounds very strange. Maybe you should talk to his parents about it? Kids don't really like to be pressed about anything. Try talking to him about it in a more subtle way. Hope every thing's okay.

Answer 2

Something is definitely troubling him. Teeth grinding, nightmares, seeing shadows all point to high stress levels. Why is a 5 year that stressed out?

Even if you ask him, at that age they still don't have concrete thinking so you could get answers based on imagination, real things or TV shows! Try having him draw you some pictures. Ask him to draw his house, his family, his school then have him talk to you about the pictures. This is a good way to see how things are affecting him.

Answer 3

Could just be that he's having nightmare. If he's not at your house often, then its unfamiliar and probably a little scary. If you have a foul relationship with the childs mother, its possible that she's telling your son mean or scary things so that he won't want to stay with you. There could be issues in his home life that needs looking into. You need to thoroughly evaluate the situation. Contact his mother and voice your concerns. If she gets incredibly defensive, then I woould automatically assume something is going on. Good luck.

Answer 4

Give a call to the folks at http://www.family.org 1-800-232-6459 licensed counselors, who will also provide you with resources and local contacts. Tell your story. Grinding of teeth is a sign of considerable and significant tension, not to mention possible problems with the physical stress on the teeth and jaws.

Being sensitive to weight of covers is an important clue. So-called "attention deficit" issues are possibly in play, and the folks at 1-800-232-6459 are less likely to prescribe some rather dubious drugging, which is an unfortunate possibility if your nephew is diagnosed by an over-medicating school official.

You are in a position to do much good, in a gentle way, with help from the http://www.family.org group, which is Christ-centered although not denominational, etc. They also have resources relating to the baneful effects of video games, internet screening issues, peer pressure, etc. It is indeed a war directed against the inner sense or innocence of the childlike. One of the guests on their daily half-hour radio program was David Wheaton, a great tennis player who wrote "University of Destruction" based on his experience at Stanford, which is degenerating into a moral cesspool, if his account is true. You might enjoy "Expecting Adam," Martha Beck's account of deciding to give birth to her son Adam, and C. S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce." Also, http://www.ligonier.org has some great children's books, e.g. "The Lightlings," even read by Dr. R. C. Sproul, but when shared with a 5-year old at bedtime, might be a teachable or memorable time. Likewise, "Adventures in Odyssey" is offered at the http://www.family.org site.

The phenomenon of "seeing shadows" is possibly related to brain activity being sped up by tv/computer monitor frequencies prior to bedtime. Typically, "shadows" are seen toward the periphery, and may be dream-like responses to the heightened brain stimulation; similar to "finding patterns" where none are, e.g. if in a stressful situation in a woods, seeing "dangerous shapes."

So, cheers, anyway,

j.

Answer 5

I know this question will be hard to answer honestly . Is there anyone in your home (neighbor , husband , visitor , priest ) who may have distressed the child in any way . Scary stories ( including Biblical ones ) , Pain , Sexual contact ,Teasing ,Threats , ???
Fear of covers can be a fear of control issue , sometimes associated with sexual contact . Grinding of the teeth is very abnormal . Could be an indication of a seperation ( from one or both parents ) anxiety . ( Are the parents getting along ?) . I would ALMOST venture a wild guess that he is living with a single mother who is dating when she leaves him at your house . Your nephew would need professional counseling to be able to deal with that type of situation .
Edit : This is NOT a spiritual issue . It is physical/psychological . It requires Medical Intervention . Not a priest , not a pastor, not a minister . They are usually not trained in this type of problem .

Answer 6

I'd really look into whats going on at home. Definitely sounds like something is wrong to me. Does he have nightmares and see the shadows at home too?
Good Luck!

Answer 7

Do you talk to his parents about this? My near 90-year-old Mother-in-law saw shadows at dusk and they called it "Sundowning" but that is for people with dementia. Never heard of a 5-year-old seeing them. Tell his parents to ask his pediatrician. For him to not want to stay at your house makes me wonder if something is happening at your house. Perhaps he should be questioned by a professional about whether of not someone is hurting (molesting) him or something.

Answer 8

Some people believe there are such things as 'shadow people'. Google for more info.

Answer 9

I feel it's nothing to be afraid of, it will be okey soon, in a week or two. or a month probably