Check Traffic

Check Traffic
Live Cameras, Conditions

°

Homepage / Health
Text Size

Parents Can Help Children Conquer Fears

Doctor: Child Fears Common, Normal

POSTED: Friday, December 3, 2004
UPDATED: 4:53 pm CST December 3, 2004

Bedtime is not easy for some children. Fear of the dark is a common childhood problem. But parents can help children conquer those fears, Local 2 reported Friday.

Childhood Fears

K.C. Stegall is 10 years old and still deals with some bedtime fears.

"My heart beats really fast and sometimes I start shaking," Stegall said. "I have nightmares."

A simple sound can throw him into a panic and he has to keep his light on all night.

"Some of them can sound like the sound in scary movies," Stegall said.

"He would think there was something in the closet or things like that," mother Nadine Stegall said.

"Childhood fears are very common and they're normal," said Dr. Liza Bonin, a child psychologist at Texas Children's Hospital.

"Your job as a parent is to help the child develop the sense that they're competent and can handle the fears," Bonin said.

Bonin said parents play an important role in a child's developing and maintaining fears.

First, they should be a good example, according to Bonin.

"Children learn by watching their parents," Bonin said.

A parent's own fears can easily be transferred to children. Also, parents should watch how they react to their child's fears.

"If children are feeling scared at night and parents sleep with them, that sends the message that the kid was not safe to be alone," Bonin said.

When Stegall gets scared, he pulls the covers over his face and then thinks of happy thoughts.

"Stuff that I might want for Christmas," he said.

If it does not work, his mom helps him out.

"I just go to the closet with him or we go outside and we look (where the sound came from)," she said.

Bonin said that is the right thing to do.

It helps children learn to manage their fears on their own.

"That might mean that they can manage the nightlight. They can assign where it will be. They can have what they want in their bedroom," Bonin said.

"I hope that the day will come when I won't be shaking and my heart won't be beating and I'm just scared to death," K.C. Stegall said.

Bonin said when fear and anxiety start to interfere with your child's life, such as sleep, school and friendships, then it's a problem and professional help might be needed.

A stressful event in a child's life like divorce, death or relocation can also trigger bedtime fears.

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
The first step in reducing debt is recognizing how much you have. Let us help you with the rest and get out from under your debt in 12 months. More

Get the world's first bake, slice and serve brownie maker and bake the perfect brownies every time. More

Get car insurance quotes from all the major carriers and save time an money in the process. Just enter your zip code and start saving today. More

A degree from ITT Technical Institute can help you achieve your goals and get you started on the path towards a rewarding career. More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

  • VideosClick to Expand

    • Frank Tracks Rain

      KPRC Local 2 Chief Meteorologist Frank BillingsleyNov. 20, 2009: KPRC Local 2 chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley tracks the rain.

    • Army May Stop Sealy Contract

      Nov. 20, 2009: The Army may stop building trucks in Sealy, which could have an economic fallout in Houston. Phil Archer reports.

    • Students Mourn Friend

      DeAndre Elliot,A high school student was killed and his vehicle was stolen outside a southeast Houston apartment. Ryan Korgard reports.

    • Student Says Man Tried To Lure Her

      Nov. 20, 2009: A man tries to lure a ninth-grade Montgomery County student into his car after she got off a school bus. Carl Willis reports.

    • Neighbors Shocked At Gruesome Discovery

      Harris County Medical ExaminerNov. 19, 2009: Police are investigating after a baby's mummified remains were found at an apartment complex in northwest Houston. Alana Gomez Dong reports.

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand

Marketplace

  • AutoClick to Expand

  • JobsClick to Expand

    • 7 Killer Cover Letter Mistakes

      Don’t ruin your chances of landing that new job by making easy to correct mistakes on your cover letter.

    • Why Having Fun At Work Matters

      If people are having fun, they’re going to work harder, stay longer, maintain their composure in a crisis and take better care of the organization.

    • Ten Tips To Boost Your Interview IQ

      Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these 10 strategies to enhance your interview IQ.

    • Learn How To Deal With Pay Cuts

      If you’re about to take a pay cut, find out how you can go about dealing with it and stay proactive about your salary.

  • WomenClick to Expand

    • Healthy Living In Your 40s

      Your guide to looking and feeling your best.

    • Manage Stress, Find Balance

      The idea of living a balanced life may seem like an oxymoron. Yet working toward balance and self-care is key to feeling in control and more joyful at home and work.

    • Weight & Exercise: The Right Mix

      Being healthy is related to how well you take care of yourself. But it’s never too late! A woman can learn new, healthy habits at any age.

  • InsuranceClick to Expand

    • Auto Insurance Quotes

      Simply enter your zip code and get great deals on your car insurance from the top companies. Click here and start saving today!

    • Health Insurance Quotes

      No matter where you live, you shouldn’t have to pay too much for health insurance. Your zip code is all you need and we’ll do the rest to find you great insurance rates.

    • Home Insurance Quotes

      Your home is your most valuable asset. So make sure you have coverage that fits your needs and doesn’t break the bank.

    • Life Insurance Quotes

      What would happen to your family if you were suddenly gone? Don’t leave their future to chance and find top quality life insurance before it’s too late.

    • Business Insurance Quotes

      Don’t take chances when it comes to insuring your business. To get the best rates from top companies in your area just enter your zip code.

  • HomesClick to Expand

Sponsored Links