https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 21:48:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-help-my-son-when-he-has-bad-nightmares#post-2598315 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 10:04:26 +0000 808love 2598315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agreed, news and commercials don't go unnoticed. Sometimes you just can't help what they see. We only watch selectively streamed shows or pbs in our house so LO is pretty sheltered when it comes to media. When she was 3 we went into an airport lounge and of course a TV zombie commercial comes on at the worst time. She was freaked out and at first thought it was an alligator because her brain couldn't understand what was coming out of the swamp. She had a fear of alligators for awhile. She always would ask that I pray for her to have good dreams for about a year and half. She hasn't asked lately but in the past 3 months, I've caught her playing zombies with her friends twice and I shut it down. NO zombies allowed. I don't do well with scary stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-help-my-son-when-he-has-bad-nightmares#post-2598129 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 06:36:20 +0000 looch 2598129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cutting back on the screens is what worked for us...after my son told me he had a bad dream about an airport and being shot at, I asked my parents to turn off the constant news stream they had going on. My father was resistant, he said that my son doesn't pay attention, but I told my mom and she was genuinely shocked by it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-help-my-son-when-he-has-bad-nightmares#post-2598112 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 05:56:43 +0000 pinkb 2598112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have heard of the monster spray idea! My mom would always tuck us in and tell us to think of all our favorite things so we could dream about them. Also when we did have a nightmare my mom would always tell us to flip our pillow over and you wouldn't have any more. Still works for me ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-help-my-son-when-he-has-bad-nightmares#post-2598098 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 01:50:00 +0000 808love 2598098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a discussion about real and not real.<br /> Because of my faith we do a prayer of protection and remind her that she can call out to Jesus.<br /> Maybe you could have him draw a picture of his fear and add a positive hero to save the day.<br /> I like the monster spray idea. Also the joke books before bedtime.<br /> How about soothing or inspiring music to fill his brain? He can hum it to himself when his worries crop up.<br /> Ask him what would make him feel safer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-help-my-son-when-he-has-bad-nightmares#post-2598030 Wed, 03 Aug 2016 19:56:04 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2598030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to make monster spray for the kids I babysat for! spray bottle with water, and they could spray it and it would vanquish any monster ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-help-my-son-when-he-has-bad-nightmares#post-2598021 Wed, 03 Aug 2016 19:18:19 +0000 MrsSRS 2598021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Having a picture list of good things to think about plus a flashlight by his bed will help. So he has visual reminders of pleasant things he can focus on while falling asleep </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-help-my-son-when-he-has-bad-nightmares#post-2597979 Wed, 03 Aug 2016 17:33:24 +0000 Bao 2597979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: would a nightlight or special flashlight he can keep by his pillow help? LO is almost 4 and she went through a phase of thinking gorillas were in the hall and were going to get her. So, not nightmares, but letting her have a flashlight helped. Plus we would leave her door open. To get her to fall asleep better (we actually still do this) we tell her we will come back and check on her in 5 minutes. That way she has the comfort of us coming back. Also try funny books before bed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-can-i-help-my-son-when-he-has-bad-nightmares#post-2597965 Wed, 03 Aug 2016 17:00:59 +0000 mrbee 2597965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son has bad nightmares; last night, there were zombies in his dream. He said he got the idea from Scooby Doo - so one thing we can do is to cut back on any TV shows that have scary monsters (even cartoon ones, like Scooby Doo).</p> <p>Is there anything else we can do to help him reduce (or manage) his nightmares? I feel so helpless... and he has been learning to dread falling asleep. The only thing I could do is to tell him to come snuggle me or his mom - or if we're not around, to snuggle the family dog. Any other ideas? </p>