Fear of bats in 2 and 4 year olds

We had a bat in the house about a week and a half ago, it was in our daughters' room. They are 2 and 4. Unfortunately I am afraid of bats myself, and did not handle it well in front of them. A neighbor and I were able to catch it and get it out. They have been hysterical about even going in there at night with me. They cry and get extrememly clingy. They are frantic and as soon as it starts getting dark telling me they don't want to go in their room. I've tried letting them fall asleep in my room then carrying them over, they wake up and come in our room. The last 2 nights I went in their room for cuddle time and laid on the floor so they could see there were no bats, kept the lights on, but the 4 year old practically crawls on my head, so frightened, but I stayed until she fell asleep. They continue to wake up and come in our room. I feel terrible for them, especially the 4 year old, but my husband and I would love to figure out how to make them feel secure again and get some good sleep again. What can we do to make them feel secure again?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

There is no quick cure to this situation. They have good reason to be acting in the way they are acting. They were very frightened, and nothing you can do will change that. Maintain your equanimity, take this in stride, continue to be supportive. They will return to their former behavior. Think of it this way: they are having an understandable reaction to an upsetting event. You cannot change that - all you can do is take good care of them Be patient, it will be fine.