Experiencing Parenthood

  • Home
  • About
    • Welcome to Experiencing Parenthood!
    • The Panda
  • Contact Me
  • Family
  • Parenting
  • Special Needs
  • Things to Do
    • Arizona Events
    • Arizona Diamondbacks for Families
    • Crafts
    • Kid Books
    • Recipes

6 Ideas to Help Kids Who Are Afraid of the Dark

May 27, 2017 By Leila 18 Comments

I remember being afraid of the dark. Once.

I stayed overnight at my dad and grandma’s house (which rarely ever happened) and there were bags in the corner that created some very scary shadows for a girl with an overactive mind. Even as an adult, I can remember that night.

Luckily, out of three children, Blake has been the only one to be afraid of the dark.

We don’t tease. We don’t fuss. We don’t make a big deal out of.

In fact, we use these ideas to help kids who are afraid of the dark:

6 Ideas to Help Kids Who Are Afraid of the Dark

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links meaning that Experiencing Parenthood will receive compensation – at no additional cost to you – if you purchase using one of these links. You can read more in our disclosure policy.

1. Nightlights. I remember growing up, we had nightlights in the bathrooms at night so you can ‘find your way’ in the dark.

K had a nightlight in her room when she was a baby, and B has gone through a few nightlights in his lifetime.

A fun way to have a night light is to have a marquee light in their room. It gives off less light than the bedroom light and more light than a nightlight. Plus it makes super cute bedroom decor!

2. Twilight Constellation Night Light These twilight constellation night lights are awesome. Kadenn had a ladybug and Blake had the turtle (and I have secretly wanted one for myself!)

3. Flashlights. We have had mini mag flashlights, dollar store flashlights, character flashlights – all kinds of flashlights that I have found B sleeping with on more than one occasion.

4. Flashlight Friends Kadenn and Blake each have one and they loved it. Addy loves them too! They are great cuddly friends that have a flashlight in their tummy so it’s a win win situation for any kid!

5. Leave a light on. You could leave a hall light on or the bedroom light on or both until you go to bed.

We do a mixture of both for Blake. Usually it’s just his bedroom light but there have been nights that both the hall light and his bedroom light have stayed on until I check on him and go to bed.

I turn them off when I check on them and because he’s already asleep, it doesn’t bother him. He usually sleeps through the night, but there have been occurrences when he wakes up and will turn the lights back on.

6. Monster Spray. If it’s monsters that make your child fear the dark, create some Monster Spray by putting water in a spray bottle.

When they see a monster, they can squirt it with monster spray to make them go away!

If your kid is afraid of the dark – talk to them. Ask them what they are scared of and go from there. Chance are, one of the above ideas can help.

It could be shadows too like it was for me. Simply removing items that create scary shadows or using a flashlight to “shine away” the scary shadows work too!

Do you have a little that is afraid of the dark? Have you found something that works well for them? Share it in the comments!

More Parenting Posts:

Parenting: The Most Challenging, but Most Rewarding Job
My Kid is Not Your Kid
Breakfast Foods to Fuel Their Day
The “Ews” and Get Better Basket
Tips To Help Prevent Drownings This Summer

Related Posts

  • Ultimate Bundles: Parenting Super BundleUltimate Bundles: Parenting Super Bundle
  • Teaching Your Children How to Avoid Everyday Dangers Through ReadingTeaching Your Children How to Avoid Everyday Dangers Through Reading
  • Jewelry and Children: Health RisksJewelry and Children: Health Risks
  • Six Skinny Secrets to Losing the Baby Weight by Katie Pickett {Book Review}Six Skinny Secrets to Losing the Baby Weight by Katie Pickett {Book Review}
  • Disciplining Your Children: Make the Consequence Make SenseDisciplining Your Children: Make the Consequence Make Sense
  • My Kid is Not Your KidMy Kid is Not Your Kid

Filed Under: Blog, Parenting

« 504 Plan vs IEP
Liebster Award »

Comments

  1. Natasha says

    June 6, 2017 at 11:46 am

    Great tips! We have always had a wave light for the ceiling and we have one of those star ones too! Great purchases

    Reply
    • Leila says

      June 6, 2017 at 12:42 pm

      Oh what is a wave light!? I want lights! I love the constellation lights!!

      Reply
  2. blackgirlzen says

    June 6, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    I can relate to this article. I was one of those kids afraid of the dark. Great information!

    Reply
  3. Connie@essentiallybroken.c says

    June 6, 2017 at 10:01 pm

    This is a very good post. My youngest was afraid of the dark. We did a couple of different things for her before she grew out of it. We left the light on, lots of night lights. I even slept with her for a while. When I finally found out why she was scared, we fixed it and I’m happy to say, she has been great for a few months.

    Reply
    • Leila says

      June 11, 2017 at 7:57 pm

      I am glad you were able to find out what was causing her fear and fix it! I’m not sure my son is actually afraid or if it’s part of his anxiety. He is fine with the light on and we just turn it off, but it is definitely something we are keeping an eye on!!

      Reply
  4. Zel says

    June 7, 2017 at 3:59 am

    Great tips! I grew up having fears in the dark. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Leila says

      June 11, 2017 at 7:56 pm

      Thank you! We always had night lights growing up! There was always a secret stash!

      Reply
  5. RM says

    June 7, 2017 at 5:44 am

    These are great tips! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Leila says

      June 11, 2017 at 7:56 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Courtney Neiss says

    June 7, 2017 at 7:01 am

    I think all moms should have monster spray on hand!

    Reply
    • Leila says

      June 11, 2017 at 7:56 pm

      I agree!!

      Reply
  7. Harmony, Momma To Go says

    June 7, 2017 at 8:58 am

    we have a five year old that sleeps with the light on. full on, all night. it really doesnt bother me, although i know she doesnt need it. nightlights tend to give off a shadow so that hasnt worked.

    Reply
    • Leila says

      June 11, 2017 at 7:55 pm

      I never thought of shadows with night lights! Blake has a marquee star as his bedroom light and uses that. We turn it off when he falls asleep and it stays off unless for some reason he wakes up in the middle of the night.

      Reply
  8. Michelle Paige says

    June 7, 2017 at 11:48 am

    The monster spray is super cute! TBH I’m still kind of afraid of the dark. We leave a light on in the hallway and then I use a sleep mask to help me fall asleep and not get bothered by the light.

    Reply
    • Leila says

      June 11, 2017 at 7:54 pm

      I can definitely attest to my anxiety giving me a run for my money some nights in the dark! We keep the tv light on for the toddler and I take a flashlight when I go around the house in the dark. šŸ™

      Reply
  9. Laura says

    June 7, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    I love this post! I can relate so much from when I was a child. I remember leaving the hallway or bathroom light on, having a night light, leaving the tv on, and the closet door had to be closed lol! Now I hate sleeping with anything on and it needs to be quiet.

    Reply
    • Leila says

      June 11, 2017 at 7:53 pm

      So funny!! We leave the tv light on for our 4 year old now so darkness is weird for me! LOL

      Reply
  10. Victoria says

    June 12, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    We have the constellation animals, an elephant & ladybird. They really are fab – and yes – I want one too 🤣 Xx

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Victoria Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

leila@experiencingparenthood.com

An Arizona based mommy of 3 (one with special needs) on a mission to rebuild a village so parents don't feel so alone.

Experiencing Parenthood is your one stop blog for parenting tips, parenting resources, family friendly activities, and local Arizona events for atypical and special needs families.

504 Plan vs IEP: What is the difference?

504 Plan vs IEP

Personalized Children Books with I See Me

Personalized Gifts with I See Me

Super Simple DIY Mickey Mouse Cake

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER

If you wish to use my content on your blog or website, please choose one image from that post and link back to the original URL with proper credit.

Unless otherwise stated, all content and photos are property of Experiencig Parenthood. Read more at http://experiencingparenthood.com/right-to-use/

The images and content of Experiencing Parenthood are protected by copyright laws. DO NOT edit or remove watermarks from any image. Please contact leila [at] experiencingparenthood [dot] com if you have any questions. Thank you! ©Experiencing Parenthood, 2015-2017

Instagram Slider


Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711

Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711

Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711

Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711

Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711

Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711

Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711

Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711

Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711

Notice: Undefined index: jr_insta_square in /home/mngirlaz/public_html/experiencingparenthood.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-slider-widget/instaram_slider.php on line 711
  • NO No No No This is an outrage! No!
    by expparenthood
  • dbacks Heroes Appreciation Weekend July 89 is a special event
    by expparenthood
  • I wanted to spend the morning sleeping but the 4
    by expparenthood
  • Blake spent yesterday taking the paper off of crayons Today
    by expparenthood
  • What do you do when you have 3 kids and
    by expparenthood
  • I may be totally fired from this first day of
    by expparenthood
  • That time when you are outside on lunch break talking
    by expparenthood
  • So this happened last night You can see the before
    by expparenthood
  • Life can get a little crazy but that doesnt mean
    by expparenthood
  • Kinda want to keep this guy but I will be
    by expparenthood

Recent Posts

  • Yogurt on the Go for Moms on the Go
  • 5 Benefits of Learning Through Play
  • Could These Poisonous Plants Ruin Your Summer?
  • News alert! How Children are Affected by What They See and Read on the News
  • Ultimate Bundles: Parenting Super Bundle
  • Jewelry and Children: Health Risks
  • My Brother Is Special: A Cerebral Palsy Story by Murray Stenton {Children Book Review}

Follow us on Pinterest!

© Copyright 2015 Leila Brenner · All Rights Reserved About · Advertising

· Contact · Disclosure · Terms of Use · Right to Use
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy