If your child is experiencing fears about sleep, it is important to reassure your
child. Express sympathy and explore their fears. Assure your child you will keep them safe.
If appropriate, explain that their fears are unfounded. Sympathy and reassurance are the best
antidotes to bedtime fears.
But there are also many concrete methods you can use. For example, if your child is afraid of the
dark or monsters in the night give them a flashlight so they can make sure their room is safe. This
will give them a sense of control. A nightlight can also help. Some kids respond to "spraying away"
the monsters with a room deodorizer. For older children, guided relaxation tapes may help. Guided
relaxation tapes will go through each part of the body and describe how it can relax and let tension
go (See Relaxation exercises pt). Also reading or telling stories where the main character overcomes
a fear can reassure children in an indirect way.
