When her nightmares began, I found it rather easy to comfort her. She just wanted me to reassure her everything was safe. With the threat of other nightmares looming we went to the library and checked out a book about the Ojibway and dreamcatchers. Then she picked out her own dreamcatcher. It helped. With the dreamcatcher capturing some of the nightmares in its web, sleep didn't seem so frightening.But now we have moved to full-blown, regular night terrors. The fact that they are fairly common doesn't help when I am rocking my semi-conscious, screaming, crying child for minutes on end. And I can't help but think that I am not prepared for this. Not qualified. I planned for things like scraped knees that I could kiss, and clean, and bandage. But I did not prepare for helplessness. And I've only brushed the surface of helplessness. Motherhood is full of things I can not control, things I can not make safe.
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11 comments:
Ahh...we are going through this with Fen right now too! It's terrible...I feel exactly like you do...watching my little girl scream her head of in such terror is just heart-wrenching! Glad to know there's someone else that understands :).
I used to have those. The fact that you are willing to be there and rock and wait is the best thing in the world. I think that helped me, as a child, to stop them. It helped me remember the differences in dreams and I would wake myself to stop the bad ones.
Oh Christy. I'm so sorry to hear that Canon is having Night Terrors. How excruciating for both of you. I know the helplessness you feel and it's a terrible way to feel as a parent. I'm thinking of you and hoping for sweet dreams.
I am so sorry, I am sure that it is very difficult. Wishing her sweet dreams soon.
Michael Dean has those too. Our pediatrician recommended not going to him - since he's not awake. Just make sure he's safe, but not try to wake him up. (Thank God for our video monitor!) Yes, it rips my heart out to hear him scream - but there's really nothing I can do for him.
Good luck!
Ryan has had those. It seems so tradgic. It breaks my heart. I am so sorry this is happening with her. But from reading your comments, it seems very common--didn't know that. Good luck!
Back in the summer, Peyton had them every night for 9 nights in a row! It was HORRIBLE! I took him to the ped b/c I didn't have a clue what was going on. He still has them every few weeks or so. It's just traumatic for the whole family when it happens! Honestly, it freaks me out quite a bit! All that to say, I understand and have compassion for what you guys are going through.
Oh Christy...Both Kali and Tia have had to deal with these episodes in the night. I take a different approach, I turn on the lights or leave the room and go to a well lit place and wake them up. I don't know that this works, but it is what I do. Most of the time getting them back to reality, made it much easier to rationalize with them, and have them know that they are safe. Once they became "aware", they were usually ready to go back to bed. I hope she grows out of them soon, and you can get a restful nights sleep. Talk to you soon
The Big Guy had one the other night - never easy for anyone.
You're on the right track...hang in there.
My Miss Four came up with her own solutions. She blames the bad dreams on her pillow case. So we have been custom trimming some in certain themes to facilitate particular dreams. So lace and sparkles for Cinderella dreams etc... it seems to be working and has stopped the nightmares.
I just randomly came across your blog, but I always like to comment.
So sorry to hear you are going through this. I can imagine how scary and lonely that night rocking must be for you. Wishing more peaceful nights ahead.
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