Child scared of fireworks

[bdklein]

Why are you taking it personally? Nothing to do with you; you seem to have your daughter's best interest at heart, and trying to balance your other child's needs as well. Good for you.

Take a look at some of words in the original post.

"My DD4 is TERRIFIED of the noise of fireworks."
"She started screaming at the top of her lungs, "GET ME OUT OF HERE!"
"She still cried a little, but we made it through. I guess we were trying to get her to face her fears. She also cried during the stunt show at MGM and anything and everything else that had loud noises."
"I'm desperate to get through fireworks and other loud noises without her screaming!"

Does that seem to be the approach you take-not at all.
That person seems awfully selfish-avoid thethings with loud noises-there's plenty else to do at WDW-or go somewhere else on vacation without fireworks and loud shows.

 

[TandyR]

Why are you taking it personally? Nothing to do with you; you seem to have your daughter's best interest at heart, and trying to balance your other child's needs as well. Good for you.

Sorry I took what you said as meaning that any parent taking even attemting to take their child who has sound issues to fireworks is being selfish. If you didn't mean it that way I am sorry I took it that way. I just think that there are situations in every family that an outsider might not understand. I have had people say that it is wrong how I handle my younger DD senctivity issues, but it works for my family, so you hit a sore spot in my parenting armor....I am sorry I got upset.

 

[kmermaid]

My DD 8 has always hated loud noises. Fireworks were a no go. Even the movies hurt her ears. So I hunted and find ear muffs for her. Haven't tried them yet with fireworks, but she sat thru an entire movie with them and was fine.

Here is where i got them:
http://store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/ejuearmu.html

 

[Kayleebug]

Why are you taking it personally? Nothing to do with you; you seem to have your daughter's best interest at heart, and trying to balance your other child's needs as well. Good for you.

Take a look at some of words in the original post.

"My DD4 is TERRIFIED of the noise of fireworks."
"She started screaming at the top of her lungs, "GET ME OUT OF HERE!"
"She still cried a little, but we made it through. I guess we were trying to get her to face her fears. She also cried during the stunt show at MGM and anything and everything else that had loud noises."
"I'm desperate to get through fireworks and other loud noises without her screaming!"

Does that seem to be the approach you take-not at all.
That person seems awfully selfish-avoid thethings with loud noises-there's plenty else to do at WDW-or go somewhere else on vacation without fireworks and loud shows.

Well, obviously, this was pointed at me. If you knew me, which you do NOT, you would know that I bend over backwards (and then some) to make sure that my daughter is safe and well protected. If you would notice, I said that the was scared of the NOISE! I was asking for a way to help her enjoy the beauty of the fireworks, which she loves. Like the original post says, "I'm desperate to get through fireworks and other loud noises without her screaming." I am very insulted that you would think that you could make a judgement on whether I'm selfish or not. Maybe you should read the posts a little more carefully before you start calling names...

 

[Kayleebug]

If she likes the fireworks themselves, (lights, colors, etc.) and it's just the noise issue can you try having her where headphones and listen to music while she watches them?

Thanks for this great idea. My DD went to Wal-Mart this afternoon and bought her a CD player. She picked out the High School Musical CD to go with it. She was SOOO excited about the idea of listening to music during the fireworks. I explained the whole thing about listening to the music while watching the fireworks, and she was THRILLED!! She loves to see all of the fireworks, so I think this idea might just be perfect for us. What a great tip.

 

[jodifla]

Why are you taking it personally? Nothing to do with you; you seem to have your daughter's best interest at heart, and trying to balance your other child's needs as well. Good for you.

Take a look at some of words in the original post.

"My DD4 is TERRIFIED of the noise of fireworks."
"She started screaming at the top of her lungs, "GET ME OUT OF HERE!"
"She still cried a little, but we made it through. I guess we were trying to get her to face her fears. She also cried during the stunt show at MGM and anything and everything else that had loud noises."
"I'm desperate to get through fireworks and other loud noises without her screaming!"

Does that seem to be the approach you take-not at all.
That person seems awfully selfish-avoid thethings with loud noises-there's plenty else to do at WDW-or go somewhere else on vacation without fireworks and loud shows.

Well, there are selfish parents, I guess...and awfully judgmental posters.


My DS, 4, is initially afraid of a lot of things he eventually ends up really enjoying. So we push him a bit to try new things.

And how do you think kids outgrow their fears unless they face them?

 

[KimR]

My youngest DD is also afraid of loud noises and I just hold her ears during fireworks and loud attractions. She has very sensitive hearing and if we skipped everything that was too loud for her we'd never do anything. I tried earplus for her last year, but they didn't work well. She is also very sensitive to the way things feel on her skin so that's another issue right there. DH did mention getting earmuffs for her this time like a previous poster mentioned, so I'm hoping that will work well for us.

As far as children outgrowing it....that's great if they do but don't count on it. I've had very sensitive hearing all my life and I've had to learn to cope as best I can. Thankfully, my DD is not as bad as I am but I can certainly relate.

 

[RADOPT]

My DD4 is TERRIFIED of the noise of fireworks. She liked looking at them, but that's about it.
Any idea? I'm desperate to get through fireworks and other loud noises without her screaming!

I have a daughter who also likes looking at them but can't take the noise. My suggustion is that if she is really terrified of them you don't try to get her over her fear. It may not be fear - it may be that it is actually painful - especially if she is crying. I either get a sitter (I highly recommend Fairy Godmothers - used them on both our trips & my daughter loves the women they sent) or try viewing them from the view points at the resort hotels. I know there is one at one of the hotel restaurants. Or view from indoors.

Did you take her to an ear-nose doctor or just her regular pedi? If it is a big problem, I'd take her to a specialist just to make sure.

 

[RADOPT]

She has very sensitive hearing and if we skipped everything that was too loud for her we'd never do anything. I tried earplus for her last year, but they didn't work well. She is also very sensitive to the way things feel on her skin so that's another issue right there.

Have you had her check for sensory intergration disorder? If not, I would suggust you do. The school or doctor may be able to do it. We went to a OT for this and it is not an issue for us anymore (her sound issue are from anything problem but the ot help alot with this also). This is not an uncommon issue.

 

[Kayleebug]

She's been to an ENT, but it has been a long time. She had tubes in her ears at a very young age. They fell out a long time ago, too. I asked her regular pediatrician about this issue. I wondered if it had anything to do with her past ear problems when she had to get tubes, etc. He said that it didn't and she is just that way. He said his wife it the same way. I haven't had her tested for any sensory problem. What exactly do they do in this test?

 

[RADOPT]

She's been to an ENT, but it has been a long time. She had tubes in her ears at a very young age. They fell out a long time ago, too. I asked her regular pediatrician about this issue. I wondered if it had anything to do with her past ear problems when she had to get tubes, etc. He said that it didn't and she is just that way. He said his wife it the same way. I haven't had her tested for any sensory problem. What exactly do they do in this test?

It has been so long that I really can't remember if it is just for noise issues. If it is just the noise issue it probable won't be a sensory problem but no harm checking. The school OT should be able to check. It is more a possibility for KimR's child since she has a skin issue also.

If it is still an issue after your next trip with the headphones, you may want to have the ENT check her ears again. It wouldn't hurt to check and make sure. Just because her pedi's wife has this issue doesn't mean it is the same with your daughter.

 

[Eeyore_girl]

I personally have a major fear of loud noises (but having this so long is due to a certain 'childhood trauma'). I remember ducking into my hotel (off site) before they started, and once I was out of the park I was too tired to go back and get back in. I remember one time I ate at the Rainforest Cafe inside during the fireworks - couldnt hear a thing! Great food (DTD) and when I was done my family and I went back to the park to finish up a magical day. If its between hysterics or leaving the park, try adding another option - the rainforest cafe!

 

[Eeyore_girl]

I'd also like to add a thank you to the person that posted about the CD player- a FABULOUS idea! I will definitely try this!