My 2-year-old just woke up crying really hard about a frog trying to get her. I think this is from Thumbelina, although she hasn't watched it for a month or so.
She watched Swan Princess yesterday. Does that have a scary frog? This past weekend she also woke up crying after a nap telling me that the scary man got her and hurt her ear. But "Da-Da" saved her. My husband was extremely pleased to hear of his heroic role. I think this one was from Anastasia which she'd watched before bed the night before.
I was thinking that maybe I need to go through our kid movies and put away the ones with frightening villains. I feel deeply responsible for her nightmares. I am her mother. I (along with her dad) create her world and how she understands herself in that world. I just don't feel that at 2 and a half she should be waking up with nightmares. She should have no clue that anything bad could ever happen to her. That's for me to worry about- not her. What do you think? At what age can kids handle scary villains?
oh, that's so sad. poor, little frightened jo. although i do like that ryan saved her. :) it probably depends on the kid when they can handle stuff. i think jo is a sensitive little gal so it might not be a bad idea to avoid the scary ones.
ReplyDeleteOh, sad! Tyler and I showed her Anastasia, so that was probably our fault. :( I honestly don't know what to say about the scary villains thing. You're her mom, so I'd say you'll have the best ideas on how to handle it.
ReplyDeletePoor Jo! :) yeah... I think Christy is right - if it seems like Jo is getting really upset about them, it probably wouldn't hurt to wait on those ones. I don't know if there is any magical age, but I'd say, follow her lead and let her mature a little, til she can seperate the movies from reality. Poor girl.... :)
ReplyDeleteSydnee is 6 and still has nightmares about random things she sees in movies or TV or even Disneyland! She can turn anything evil in her dreams... apparently! Guess you stick to the blues clues and super cheesy cartoons for awhile and see if that helps, otherwise it just might be how she is.
ReplyDeleteOh, one thing I have noticed is that after my kids were potty trained and they'd come in and say they had nightmares, I'd take them to the bathroom, and sure enough, they had to go, but just couldn't get themselves awake enough to realize that's what the problem was... is she potty training yet? that could be part of the problem too... maybe.
Poor Jo. Reminds me of our "sharky eat me" story. I agree with the others. If movies are bothering her, give them a break and see if the nightmares stop. I love you, Ames!
ReplyDeleteI believe in thick skins and tough love. Expose her to the scariest movies you can and tell her to "walk it off".
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