3 1/2yo - afraid of the dark

[Tigger7570]

Hi:
I got a great suggestion on these boards for children afraid of the dark. Our gd who is 3 1/2 has a fear of the dark so as suggested I am bringing a small flashlight. I wondered if anyone had any other suggestions in case we are in a ride that has minimal darkness. Definitely will not take her to Snow White or Haunted Mansion or anything else that I think may scare her. There are six of us going including DH, (her parents and sister) DS, DIL and 9 y.o gd so it will be easy for either DH or I to sit out with her. Everyone in the group has been before so it's not like we'll miss anything if we sit out a ride. Thanks

 

[Ladyw/theTramp]

Last year I was really afraid to take my two on Snow White because I had heard it was too scary... but on the last day, My DH and DS(4) went on and scouted it for my DD (2) . It wasn't scary at all to her. Maybe a little dark sometimes, but nothing that the light up toy didn't fix.. and the witch is there... but she doesn't jump out or anything. Not nearly as scary as I had imagined. Both my kids loved it!

Actually the same was true for mine in Haunted Mansion. Nothing really jumps at you. So with the light up toys and us pointing out the "silly guys" through the ride.. the kids loved it and we had to turn right back around and ride it again!
Just a thought, you might be surprised if you "scout" some things out!

Have fun!!!

 

[staci]

I would buy some of those glow bracelets or something else that glows on ebay, and let her wear them during the day. Then she can look forward to times when the lights go down, cuz she can see all of her pretty jewelry!

 

[Tigger7570]

What a great idea Staci! Thanks so much. She'll love the glow bracelet.
Ladyw/theTramp - maybe towards the end of the trip, we might see if she'll try the Haunted Mansion, but right now she is going through tha stage where she is frightened of certain things. She just told me Saturday night that she didn't want to watch her Scooby Do Halloween movie anymore because it's too scary. Prior to this, she seemed fine with it. We're doing the MNSSH and someone had mentioned on allears that their children were absolutely terrified of the characters in the parad that were dressed up in scary costumes so I'm a little nervous about that now. If she appears to be frightened by them when the parade starts, DH and I will just go walk around with her and let DS, DIL and her 9yo sister stay at parade.

 

[staci]

Look around at the halloween stuff for sale; i think i remember seeing glow in the dark nail polish sometime? anything like that should help make it 'fun' to be in darker enviroments.

 

[Tigger7570]

Another great idea. She loves to have her nails done. By the way, your son is absolutely beautiful.

 

[staci]

By the way, your son is absolutely beautiful.

Thank you! I hope next week at DW he is as angelic as he appears in that picture! Well, I can always dream

 

[crisi]

The Birnbaums "by kids for kids" guidebook puts "dark" "scary" "loud" "wet" and "rough" warnings by each ride (I may be wrong on exactly which ones) and may be worth the investment.

Its hard to tell with kids. Mine were spooked by the theming of the Haunted Mansion - but the dark didn't bother them. Some people make the mistake of walking into Snow White first thing and never get their kid on another attraction, other kids don't think its a big deal.

 

[melomouse]

.. I smiled as I read your post. My DD was terrified to go to HM at 2 and 3. Suddenly we are lucky enough to go back to WDW before her 4th b'day, and suddenly, we do HM - THREE times!

She can do SM repeatedly now - I did it once in DL and never again...!!!Go figure!

My point is - these suggestions are great - and I know your trip is 13 days away - but ask her anyway if she might like to "try" a medium-dark ride - Peter Pan maybe... and see how she does. You sound like a great mom - so respectful of her fears - I just know how quickly those fears can shift to something else...

(After DD got past darkness - it was thunder. Then lightning....)

Enjoy! Look for our lime green Mickeys - we'll be there 10/3-10/12!!! Yipee!!!!

melomouse

 

[elan]

You could also try kids shoes that light up. They just need to bump the soles for light.