Lots of kids have nightmares—it’s an unfortunate, but common, part of growing up. But these distressing dreams can lead to insomnia, anxiety, and fear in children. Fortunately, there are effective strategies parents can use to help their kids manage nightmares and take back their night.
This article will provide practical tips for tackling nightmares in kids, from discussing the dream and providing reassurance to understanding the triggers and using coping skills.
Parents can help empower their kids to combat nightmares and experience more peaceful nights. Read on to learn more.
Understand the Causes of Nightmares
To help kids tackle nightmares, it’s essential to first understand the potential triggers. Nightmares are often associated with stress, anxiety, and traumatic events. Kids may also have nightmares after watching a scary movie or TV program, or even after reading a frightening book.
It’s also important to remember that nightmares are a normal part of development. As kids become more aware of the world around them, they may experience emotions such as fear and anxiety, and these can manifest as nightmares. Nightmares typically become more frequent as kids become interested in the supernatural, but they diminish with age.
Talk to Kids About Nightmares
One of the best things parents can do to help kids manage nightmares is talk to them about the dream in a nonjudgmental way. Ask the child to talk about what they remember from the dream, and try to listen without offering quick solutions or criticism. During the conversation, reassure the child that they’re safe.
Talking to kids about their dreams is also an excellent way to encourage problem-solving skills. Ask the child to describe any solutions they might have, or offer some of your own if they need help. Talk through each option and how it would help, and then ask them which solutions they want to try.
It may also be useful to open a discussion about possible triggers for nightmares and talk about ways the child can reduce stress and anxiety in their daily life. Encouraging stress-busting activities like yoga and mindfulness can also help kids to relax before bed.
Teach Coping Skills
Coping skills can help kids manage their nightmares by replacing negative behaviors like screaming or hitting with more adaptive responses. Encourage your child to use the following coping skills to protect themselves and find comfort in the middle of a nightmare:
- Deep breathing, visualization, and mindfulness techniques
- Imagining a safe place
- Talking through the nightmare
- Creating a dream journal
- Making comforting crafts
Create a Safe Space for Kids to Sleep
Creating a safe and comfortable bedroom can make a huge difference in managing nightmares. Consider removing items with scary images or ones that could cause nightmares, such as toy weapons or horror-themed posters.
Help kids make their bedroom a calming space filled with comforting items like a favorite stuffed animal or blankey. If your child has sensory issues and stuffed animals overwhelm them, provide alternate comforters such as weighted blankets. Soft music or white noise machines can also help lull kids to sleep.
With the right strategies and plenty of reassurance from parents, kids can learn to better manage and ultimately overcome crippling nightmares. The tips provided here are just the beginning of the path to a peaceful night’s sleep.