My son had developed an irrational fear of monsters lately. He's 3, and waking me up at least every hour to tell me of a new location of the "monster". So here was my solution...

I took a bottle of room spray/air freshener (one that's small and non toxic) and replaced the label with a simple white label, drew a picture of a monster and a big red X over his face. My son knew right away what it was... Go Away Monster Spray! I also wrote "Anti-Monster Spray" on the bottle so the babysitter would know what it's used for too!

We spray the closet, under the bed, in the bed and around the windows and doors (so they can't come in). He associates the scent with being safe, and has been sleeping very well since then.

RE:Wa.Mom
When my niece was 2-4 she had the greatest fear of a doll named Cricket. It was one of those talking dolls that had the eyes and mouth that moved to the words. She was terrorized. The doll was put away for good. As long as it wasn't in site she was fine. Later on she grew out of it, knowing it was not real. Other dolls that did not talk or do anything were fine. Since your son is 4 does he say what it is he does not like. If he says something specific like eyes moving or whatever the reason, try to explain the doll to him and what it is for or why your daughter likes it. and see if his fear resolves. Try a action hero and explain to him that this is a boy doll and see if the reaction is the same. It just sounds to me that he might have confusion about real and imaginary like my niece did. Then again I would also find out if your six year old daughter maybe did something to a doll or to your son with a doll that might have something to do with his fear. My son developed a fear of playgrounds when he was 18 months because of falling issues and kids were physical with him. I hope this helps. Good luck. Keep us updated.

My four year old son has a fear of dolls. Everytime a doll is near him he starts to shake and cry. I try to keep all his sisters dolls out of sight but it doesn't really help. If I get rid of them my six year old daughter would be devestated. What is the best that I could do to comply with both children's needs?

As a child I had way too many scary, insecurities that still bother me now at 37 yrs old. An overly active imagination that is always working overtime isn't a negative/disability or sign of inner issues by parents who like comparing strengths in our children, it is not a race or competition, or rather, just the opposite has been studied by drs. and therapist nation wide that it actually means a child who has over active thoughts or fears represent very intelligent, overly creative minds which by far is normal as we grow. I lost my dad to a tragic incident and a lot of fears and anxieties are how we feel inside but cannot always understand or express. I try to read a lot and take advice from other parents to maybe find a solution or understanding as a child may feel or see something in a totally different manner. children who I feel experiance a lot of things, also benefit by listening and letting your child know they are loved every single moment and safe. Normal fears and stress are part of developement, teaching us how to solve problems u or be confident in themselves and us to help them when they are unsure. I want to instill a positive, confident self esteem that my child can learn by and can also feel good about who they are and what they want to accomplish when they are older. know its ok to be an unperfect parent in a perfected competitive kid vs kid life as we have seen it as a child. everyone is capable of good parenting habits and remember they are like a mirror, they see more and know more than some realize and it does effect them in a way you are presented to them, positive or negative. we are the ones to help our kids be everything we weren't by listening and trying to love and keep safe that child we wish had that positive safety shield only mom or dad could put in the scared zone and be safe after the magic force field was activated.

My son is going to turn 4 on May 12th, and he is so afraid of dogs because as soon as he sees one he runs in to the house or car and does not come out.when my husband's niece come from school they go out to play and some others kids, i tell him if he wants to go play he said no he prefer to stay in the house watching TV. eve dough he loves to play outside. Also when my brother in law come to visit us he is afraid of him to because he has a dog and he thinks he is going to get him also they make fun of him because he is so afraid i feel bad because i don't know how to help him

My son just turned 4. He has had a fear of the playground equiptment in our area. The stairs and floors have small holes so you can see the ground below. Ever since there was an incident with another child pushing and shoving my son when he was about 2, he would not climb the jungle gym like a normal kid. He is slow moving and crawls instead of walks up the steps to the slides. He loves slides the higher and faster the better. So we know it is not a fear of heights. I think it is more fear of falling(through the holes). He has become extremly caucious. Recently he has become more aware of his fear. He is trying to correct it on his own. I am always encouraging him to climb up the stairs or run across a bridge and often do this with him a few times to loosen him up. He is getting much, much better. He will climb a rockwall until he gets to the top and has to pull himself up, he stops in his tracks and asks for help. He knows I am always there for him. I support what steps he wants to take to cure himself of this fear. I think a lot of infant to pre-school fears are solved in time. I do find him though very caucious of kids that are always on the move.And also of kids that bully and name call. He backs away and leaves the situation. I can't get over how many kids from 2 to 6 are bullies and the parents are right there teaching and encouraging this behavior right in front of me. When at the playground or at a fun place for kids this is a growing concern and fear for me as a parent. How do we deal with these situations were the parents are letting their kids bully ours? When I step in to help my child out I am ridiculed by the other childs parents. It is like they are looking for action themselves. I have been called a baby and a loser by a parent for taking my child out of a bounce house because he was shoved in the face to the other side and got a bloody nose. Parents help me out. What should I do to protect my son and I both from situations and Parents like these? My son wants to know why I was being called names. How and what do I say to him that will not to instill another fear? Any suggestions? Does anyone else have this problem?