Something scary?

[.]

Before bedtime DS went in his room and came running back out almost in tears saying that something scared him. It was dark in his room and I asked him what it was that was that he thought was scary and he just kept saying 'something' and refused to go in his room. He kept asking to sleep in our bed!

He has a couple of those giant stuffed animals (like from the fair) that we thought could be it so we asked if he wanted them to sleep in our room, he said oh, ok!, then we checked everywhere else (under the bed, etc) to show him that there really isn't anything there, but he still refused to go in. After brushing teeth and some coaxing he finally came in but it was just the oddest thing.

This is normal, right??? I mean, he's been asking for us to keep his lamp on at night for well over a month now, which has been fine, he still goes right to sleep, but he never actually said that he was scared of the dark or anything before. Soooo....should we just not mention it anymore unless he brings it up? What do we say next time?? I don't want to discount his feelings but I had a moment of panic when he was saying this tonight because we are dealing with H's extreme anxiety and I am just hoping this is a normal toddler fear and not something more!!! RIGHT?? I'm overthinking it I'm sure....

[olivegoose]

My DD says stuff like that all the time, she's 3.5. She does better now that she shares a room with her brother because she's not alone, but she says she's afraid of shadows, monsters, being alone, etc. I just reassure her that she's ok and all the reasons why she's ok, and then sit with her until she's asleep or calmed down.

[fintin]

Totally normal. When ds was 3or 4 he used to get scared like that. We would just do a room check with him until he felt safe. I personally wouldn't bring it up again but if you choose to then I would do it in the morning so he has time to forget about it by bedtime.

[quesyrah]

DS went through a scary phase around 3. We got him a nightlight and let him fall asleep with a flashlight. He grew out of it