Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhh!

[PA Princess]

I also live with a 6 year old girl, and I can relate to what many have written. My dd has always been afraid...genuinely afraid of the characters and any constumed characters. You could see it on her face...just irrational fear. It seemed to peek at like 4/5, but in the last year she has made real break throughs.

We went to Disney last year for her 5th birthday and we tried dinner at LTT, but she was just hysterical with fear and we did not attempt it. She was fine with face characters like the princesses, but even the mice at Park Fair bothered her. She did the sign thing and the characters were SO awesome in avoiding us when we asked.

We also explained that the characters were not real...simply people in a costumed, but dd said she thought it was creepy that they could see her and she could not see them. And you know, I could understand her reasoning, so that logic was a little harder to counter. Her break through came at church when for vacation Bible school they had a costumed character and inside was her all time favorite Sunday school teacher. That really started moving her in the right direction in getting over her fear.

I agree that many times 6 year old girls need a firm stance, but I would be sure to check into the whole dog connection before I stood too firm...just in case there is something to that.

Good luck in navigating all of this! We leave for Disney in 8 days, and the rest of our family is hoping dd will actually enjoy the characters better this trip!

 

[rhiannonwales]

I tend to agree that it might be more of a power struggle, but if she is truly afraid maybe you should consider counseling. It is not "normal" for a child to be so terrified over something. If she is truly that afraid, she sounds like shes developing a phobia. You don't just grow out of thise. Counseling might help. And if it is just a power struggle, then counsleing will help too. My DS7 is like that he has these power struggles over seemingly silly things. Right now its the bathroom. He will avoid it at all costs no matter how bad he has to go. Just because he can. That being said however, DS is special needs and it kind of goes along with the territory.
Seriously though, consider getting some counsleing for your DD. It might help.
Sherrie

 

[Plantlady]

I agree, it sounds like a power struggle..

but, perhaps watching some of the sing a longs with the disney characters would get her excited. We liked disneyland sing a long.

You could even just watch them with your younger child, not mentioning anything about a fear to the older one. The giggles of the younger one watching might become contagious.

 

[mamato2princesses]

I thought it would get better as they get older, but the temper tantrum my 17 yr old threw last night shows me that it doesnt

WHAT?!?!?! What do you mean???? It DOESN'T get easier ???
Help Me Now!!!

 

[kandb]

I don't agree that it is a power struggle. You said she's alway's had a fear of the characters. I don't think she's putting this act on to prove she's in control. Some people have irrational fears and I'm sure she's the one suffering because of it, more then the people around her. I know you mentioned that you kept asking her if she was going to be afraid of the characters. Do you think maybe this kind of brought out the fear again? (I'm not blaming you, but perhaps reminding her of her prior fears, set all her fears back into motion again). I would try to avoid the thing's that are upsetting her. Good luck, Linda

 

[glass slipper girl]

just wanted to make sure you avoid one more Pluto encounter...

Ohana's for breakfast, not dinner just has Lilo & stitch.

Unless it has changed since last December, Pluto and Mickey are both at Ohana along with Lilo and Stitch.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't agree that it is a power struggle. You said she's alway's had a fear of the characters. I don't think she's putting this act on to prove she's in control. Some people have irrational fears and I'm sure she's the one suffering because of it, more then the people around her. I know you mentioned that you kept asking her if she was going to be afraid of the characters. Do you think maybe this kind of brought out the fear again? (I'm not blaming you, but perhaps reminding her of her prior fears, set all her fears back into motion again). I would try to avoid the thing's that are upsetting her. Good luck, Linda

I agree. IMHO, I wouldn't keep reminding her that she used to be scared of something. It's like saying, "last year you didn't like this broccoli but just try it again for Mommy." From what you explain about your previous trip, I would cancel the ressies that will upset her and just keep in mind that if she goes on Buzz, Peter Pan, Small World, etc. that it's progress. Take baby steps. There's so much fun to be had all over WDW that the focus shouldn't have be on the character meals. If that's the only thing you don't do, you'll still have an awesome trip. Also, just MHO but don't listen to people who say 6 is too old to be afraid of characters. People of all ages have plenty of anxiety and irrational fears over everything from bridges, heights, flying, elevators, etc. Age has nothing to do with it. Haven't we all been a passenger in the front seat and reach your foot out for the brakes? (OK, if you haven't just ride with dh and surely you will. ) I can't imagine a 4 y.o. having a "power struggle" to not go on rides in WDW. Fears are so real to the person feeling them.
Go on the rides, enjoy the pools and have fun. Don't make her feel like her fear of Pluto is wrecking everyone's trip and she'll look back on this trip to WDW with happy fun memories. Maybe in 2 more years on your next trip, her fears as a 4 y.o. will be a distant memory. Good luck!