My seven year old

formyboys · Post by **formyboys** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:25 am

My seven year old seems to be experiencing a lot of anxiety systems and it is making me very sad. He has always had some phobias...extreme fear of dogs...I mean extreme. And now he will not go anywhere in the house without me being there. He keeps telling me he is scared. I keep telling him we need to face our fears and hug him and tell him it will get better....Does anyone have any resources or suggestions for these age. Its breaking my heart. I do not want him to have to suffer with what I am going through.

jamie smith · Post by **jamie smith** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:03 am

I, unfortunately, do not have any good help for this age, but just wanted to let you know I understand how difficult it must be for you and your son. To see someone you love so dearly terrifying themselves is just so heartwrenching.

Does he explain what his fears are in the house? Did he see a scary movie or TV show that has him imagining traumatic situations? Was there something in the news that he saw which would make him fear his comfort zone?

Try to get to the core of what he's thinking about and help him to see what is to be feared (real danger) and what is NOT to be feared.

Best wishes for success in this tough situation.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:20 am

I know exactly how you feel! I have a 6 year old son who is scared of everything!! we just moved into a bigger house and now he does not share rooms with my 14 year old son and he is scared all the time.It was taking him for ever to fall asleep and he would wake up in the middle of the night crying. It is scary because I pray that my son never has to go through this. But what I do tell him is that everything is ok. And let him know that it is okay to enjoy his self and to be by his self, I tell him that monsters and scary thoughts are not real and that they tell story's. This has helped him so much ! Because he has been sleeping by himself.. and not waking up in the middle of the night. We just need to keep reinforcing the positive into there minds and I think they will be okay. Like lucinda said have him to flush all of his scary thoughts down the toilet.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:59 am

Thank you for the replies. The suggestions that were given are great. I will be sure to use them. Thanks for being there when I was in need..