Do you think it's likely that children are fearful of going to sleep? Maybe they wonder if they might not wake up, or they might die? It's far fetched, perhaps, but my two little grandbabies have such a time sleeping. They wake up crying several times almost every night. It has been very difficult for their poor mama. She hasn't slept for three years now.
It just occured to me yesterday, as I watched Rayne follow her mom to the bathroom, rather frantically because she wants her mom to be with her all the time, perhaps she doesn't know where she goes when she sleeps. To her, obviously she 'goes away' to some place. Wherever she is dreaming about would be where she is. If she can't find her mommy in the dream, she would be frightened and wake up crying. It could be a common occurance. Also, children see people die on television shows, movies, and video games. Maybe they don't know that when you are lying still you're not dead or if you'll ever get up again.
What do you think? What would you do to help?? Any ideas?? I'm just thinking here.
Rayne is so funny. Yesterday as Papabear walked past her she waved her hand aside and said, "Move Grandpa. I'm working here." She's only two!!
5 comments:
I don't think we did when we were kids. But we didn't have all those images coming at us either. I don't know Rosalie. Have a good day anyway. Diane
teeeheee....two year olds are unbelievably smart! I am a teacher, never have been a mom, so I have NO IDEAS TO OFFER, but all I know is that most children are just looking for guidance, in MORE WAYS THAN ONE!!! We literally have to teach them everything.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TO VISIT ME and for such kind words. Kind, kin, KIND!
Anita
I don't really think they have the concept of death yet to be afraid of, but your ideas of being away from Mama and not knowing what happens when they sleep is interesting. I think with Rayne it IS severe separation anxiety. We finally got her to sleep on her own by having her go to bed in her bed, with me right next to her singing and rubbing her back, so that she didn't wake up in a different place (like if I rocked her to sleep and then put her in the crib and she woke up without me)... but even then, half the time at least, she'd wake up screaming in the night...
Well, I'm the one doing the talking and I'm the one who needs advice!
I agree with Castles above that they need guidance. I think Caius is also seeking that comfort of Mom but I think he is learning too how to sleep, how to not be "eating" all night or when he gets restless, and even his poor little body he doesn't yet control so I think he's even learning to move and to not be distracted by his own self.
And yes, it IS hard on this poor Mama! Thanks for caring!
For no reason at all I was terrified as a kid that someone was going to come down the hall and try to take me away! My parents are fantastic, still together and still in the same house I grew up in.
I have noticed that whatever I'm watching before I go to bed has an effect on my dreams and people can star in them whether it's Casey Anthony or Sara Jessica Parker so I'm sure young minds are highly influenced by everything they see on tv!
Well, here's my thought.....I think children learn very young...from birth...exactly what behavior works, what gets them what they want(what makes them feel good and snuggy). And they quickly learn that they can have some control over their situation by using certain behaviors. If it works once, they'll try it again. Our job is to teach them what works best for ALL. Crying hurts us more than it hurts them(I don't mean the painful, terrified cry. That is a different story altogether). I always love to see the different levels of crying that they use.....my favorite is the "I really mean it this time" cry. It's much more dramatic. Sooo cute! Alas, I am babbling. And of course a few weeks late with my comment.
Post a Comment