Suddenly my toddler seems afraid of everything...

[SDFgirl]

I need some advice. I don't know if this is normal or not.

My DD is 26 months old. It seems like in the last month or so, she has developed some odd fears. Examples of things she says are "scary:"

- going through the carwash
- me blowing bubblegum bubbles
- a doll dressed like a football player
- the vacuum cleaner

Probably every other day or so, she finds something to be afraid of. When she says she's scared of something, she gets a quick hug and some positive, matter-of-fact reassurance. We don't fawn all over her to make her feel "safe, " so I don't think it's attention-seeking behavior. It just seems so sudden - where did all this fear come from?

My mom says it's normal - apparently I was terrified of beavers and Slim Goodbody as a toddler.

But, still - was wondering about other Dis-ers' experiences. I will speak to her pediatrician about it at her next appointment. Just wanted to see if this behavior is normal, or should I be concerned?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I think she sounds fine. I remember my oldest DD climbing up on me when she was about that age when a car would go past our house, and we live on a pretty quiet country road. It didn't last long. She's 21 now...no fear of cars.

I think not making a big issue out of it with her is good.

 

[luvpooh]

I think it's normal, my nephew went through this a couple of years ago (he's 4 1/2 now). My BIL would use the vacuum and he'd run and hide, like a dog, lol. He is fine with it now.

I remember being afraid of the guy on the Gong Show with the paper bag on his head...forget what his name was.

PS - I am still afraid of Slim Goodbody!!! ::shudder::

 

[Silent1CB]

I think it's normal, my nephew went through this a couple of years ago (he's 4 1/2 now). My BIL would use the vacuum and he'd run and hide, like a dog, lol. He is fine with it now.

I remember being afraid of the guy on the Gong Show with the paper bag on his head...forget what his name was.

PS - I am still afraid of Slim Goodbody!!! ::shudder::

Unknown Comic?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Totally normal.


My middle child went through a very weird phase of not liking stickers. Went on for a long time. She would try to hide from the Walmart greeter even to avoid a sticker. Tattoos--she'd want them on and then realize they were "stuck" and had to have them off IMMEDIATELY. Poor kid. I had no idea why she was like that.

She did grow out of it, but really prefers not to have things on her skin. She no longer petrified of the wal-mart sticker giver and will accept stickers from Disney CMs.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Here's an article from Babycenter that explains toddler fears.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_anxiety-in-toddlers_11551.bc

As disconcerting as these anxieties may be for you, they're all signs that your child's development is right on track. Anxiety is a normal — and expected — part of a toddler's cognitive and emotional development.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Try taking a toddler to Disney-those automatic flushing toilets everywhere you go can just about make a parent crazy.

 

[puffkin]

DS still has a fear of anything looking at him when he sleeps, been going on for 2 years now. All pictures in his room and stuffed animals need to be turned around. He freaks out if they are looking at him. Kind of freaks people out when they go in his room and everything is facing the wall

 

[golfgal]

Try taking a toddler to Disney-those automatic flushing toilets everywhere you go can just about make a parent crazy.

Our oldest was afraid of flushing toilets for a while. I agree with others, completely normal and a phase. Don't worry too much about it. I also found that for things that really scared them it helped to learn more about them--like thunder storms. We would read books about thunder and lightning and that helped them understand what it was (age appropriate that is) and made things less scary.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Just a phase. And yes when the toilet flushing fear happens when you are trying to potty train, not fun in the public bathrooms.

 

[anniemae]

I think fears are normal at this age. My dd was afraid of everything, especially at night, the shadows on the wall etc. I think they are starting to grow and develop and their minds are working. They see images on tv and they really can't separate reality from fiction.

 

[SDFgirl]

This makes me feel better! Thank you all very much.

My dad has a Ben Roethlisberger doll that he throws at the TV when the Steelers mess up. It's a ritual, dad brings this doll out for EVERY Steelers game. Granted, Ben has big bushy eyebrows and a sneer on his face, but my DD will NOT go near him! It's kinda funny but I try not to laugh at her.