Afraid of Thunder and Lightening

HI J., Fear is very real. I would say the best thing you can do is to show her that you are not afraid and tell her everything is all right. I remember my parents telling me that the Angels were Bowling and made a joke out of thunder. this may not work if she is already afraid. It is just a loud noise but sadly there are some real dangers to fear during a storm. Never stay near the window if there is lightning etc. Be patient with her and hopefully the fear will subside. PS My godmother used to hide in a closet when there was a storm but she did grow out of it. My best, Grandma Mary

OMG! My son who is 7 is the same way... If it happens in the middle of the night he bolts in and jumps in my room... Cotton in the ears and or an Ipod seems to help him... also I have become more aware of my reactions to thunderstorms as well.... good luck and I will be reading the responses for more hints.. Good Luck..

Hi J.
At 5 years this was a sudden fear even though it has a repeated pattern, it seems unreasonable because of something that was said, or the "boogyman" thing that is False Evidence Appearing Real.
It is a fine line between teaching them to have a healthy respect for danger and the unreasonable fear. Thunder is a noise, so at 5, you can say things like lets see if we can make more noise than the thunder, yell, screech, bang whatever it takes so she is concentrating on her noise or yours not the thunder.
I will take a wild guess and say that something was said that made her nervous, she incubated the thought, and guess what it hatched now. You must dispel it. You don't want her to live with it her entire life that is why you are asking the question.
My way is to watch God's fireworks. We all love fireworks, and we can watch lightening the same way. oohing and aahing. Obviously not going outside because it is unnecessary.
When my twins were 7 they lived through 2 federal disasters. We lived through Hurricane Fran in NC, where we were without lights from the storm for 8 days. Hey the good part it that it was fall. Once it was over, we just had to wait. OK no air but.. We were good. However, shortly after that we moved to NY, and almost exactly 5 months to the day, we were involved in the ice storm, which put the lights out again. The girls screamed "are they going to be out for a week again?". It was then that I realized how scared they were. I of course said no only a couple of hours. As night fell we had to go to neighbors, & in the end the lights were out for 10 days. We could not live home, and we cooked on the gas camp stove and appreciate the sacrifice our friends made to have 4 of us move in for so long. Are the girls frightened today of storms? No, because it was an adventure to them. It was exciting and they really want it to happen again. I purposed to have them have that attitude. It is not my natural reaction, it is the one I choose to have.
Our son was hit by lightening, and lived through the experience. We have reason to fear, but God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
God Bless you and give you wisdom
K. === SAHM married 38 years -- adult children 37,coach; 33, lawyer married with son 10 mo,who says he wants his son to have the healthy respect but struggles with his fears, I remind him that he lived to tell about it; and twin girls 18, in college; fine arts and journalism, campus and commuting, respectively and but on dean's list for a second semester after homeschooling.

Hi J.,
Poor thing. I hope we can help you here.

My daughter also hates loud noises. When she was almost 2 we got a wicked storm (though the power didn't go out there was some major flickering). Trying to calm her down I found a flashlight and her toy drum and each time the lightening would flash, I'd flash the flashlight and when the thunder came, I'd hit the drum like crazy. After she saw what fun I was having she joined in. The next day we went and bought her a princess flashlight. Also, if we happened to be out when in a thunderstorm I'd say "Oh flash like a flashlight, thunder goes boom like a..." and she'd yell "drum!".

Now when we have thunderstorms she runs and grabs her flashlight and we watch the storms together.

I hope this helps.

~Kristal

Try desensitation. Find some videos of lightening storms and admire how beautiful lightening is. Explain that the thunder can't hurt her, its only the result of the lightening. I love thunder storms and used to take the kids on the porch to watch the lightening. Why was she afraid of the storm while in the shower? Did someone tell her she can get electrocuted? When was the last time you ever heard of someone getting struck by lightening INSIDE their home? Yes it is possible, so is getting hit by a falling airplane or winning the mega lotto. Your odds are like a billion to one. Dont scare her by warning her about being on the phone or watching tv or bathing.

Hey mom,

http://newteachersupport.suite101.com/article.cfm/overcom...

I agree, with this site.

You need to be completely aware of your reaction to the thunder.

Are you anxious because your afraid she will become Afraid?

Don't be, be brave and show her there is nothing to be afraid of,

Create a thunder plan LOL

Get a bag and fill it with all kinds of activities for the storm ,

http://www.shop.com/Storms%21_-18191672-o%21.shtml?trk=1

this magazine is perfect. it will explain exactly what thunder is.

http://www.bahairesources.com/products.php?id=1809

This book is also very good as it teaches about diffrences,
( which can be associated with diffrent weather)

In your bag place these books or something similar.
along with a couple of flashlites, snacks, glow in the dark items such as those glow sticks and neclaces you snap.

this is your evening or night time storm kit.

For the daytime, put a couple of raincoats, and boots
some music such as singing in the rain.
Activitys you can ONLY do while raining.
http://kids-outdoor-activities.suite101.com/article.cfm/w...

http://www.bahairesources.com/subcategories.php?dir=leftM...

http://www.bahairesources.com/products.php?id=4597

And last suggestion is to pop a tent inside.
and have an indoor camp out,

Be happy and excited its raining, explain that it brings beautiful flowers.

Plant some seeds and watch them grow.
Show her what it means

Good luck

M

Oh and PS these are some really good family books
http://www.bahairesources.com/products.php?id=1268

This is and AWSOME book for teaching you kids Virtues,
Learning Many of these virtues will help teach your child bravery, patience, understanding, and others whcih will directly and indirectly help her understand and be less afraid.

And this magazine also very good.
http://www.brilliantstarmagazine.org/