Fear of bugs

[dizzycooks]

My 3yo is terrified of bugs. Flies, mosquitoes, ants, bees, you name it, she is terrified. This is new in the last few months. I'm trying to be calm about it and just tell her it won't hurt her, just move away, etc, but she is freaking out more and more about it. Unfortunately it's summer and there are bugs and ants live around the driveway and flies are everywhere. Any ideas?

[Deleted]

I remember ds went through something similar at that age and it passed rather quickly. Hopefully it's a short phase! But if not, maybe read some books about insects, starting with the less freaky ones like butterflies and lady bugs?

[nicolewi]

Hmmmm. This is tough. I agree with @itsbritt about books. But maybe some fiction books, like a cute story about a little bug doing cute little things...whatever that might be. Maybe even start with the Very Hungry Caterpillar and talk about how butterflies are a kind of bug. Maybe also try catching a bug and keeping it in a little bug barn (you can buy those bug home things...they had small ones at my Dollar Tree this week) and letting her look at it when she knows it can't get out and can't touch her. Fireflies in a jar? If you think she can take some non-fiction about bugs you could go there next. Talk about how some bugs are just annoying but don't hurt us, and some bugs are good helpers. Garden helpers, like ladybugs. Watch "A Bug's Life" Pixar movie if she isn't sensitive about movies? But I haven't seen it so I don't know if that's a good idea or not!

[expectantsteelerfan]

My daughter was really terrified of bees last year. After her declining to go to playdates and parks because of it with us trying to 'tough it out' my MIL bought her citronella bracelets and told her it would keep the bugs away. I felt kinda bad that she saw it as a magical fix to keep all bees away from her and I was terrified she'd get stung with it on and never trust us again, but luckily it worked until she grew out of it (eventually stopped asking for the bee bracelet and forgot about it). We wore it on her ankle to keep her from touching it and then touching her face/mouth.