What do I do?! (OT)

[JoyRenee]

What on earth do you do when your toddler is terrified of the ceiling fan in her room? I'm racking my brain trying to figure out if she saw something in a movie but I don't think she has. She was screaming from upstairs and when I got up there, she said she was scared of the ceiling fan.

I was baffled and then thought up what I could/say. I told her Dennis the Menace (her new fave movie) and Annie (as in Little Orphan Annie---her other fave) both have ceiling fans. But I really don't know if they do, I was just grasping at what I could and bring it to her level of understanding! Then I pointed out the cool features of the fan (pink blades, pretty beads dangling from it, "flowers" which are really the light fixture part). Then I said, "Goodnight Fan!!!" (as in the Goodnight Moon book, her fave) and she tearfully told the fan goodnight.

She still seemed scared when I left her room (she "asked" me to leave at that point). Is there something else I could do? I know they get scared around this age but this is not like something I can just pick up and take out of the room!

[babydreams9]

There is a part in Monsters Inc where the two main guys/monsters are defying death by leaping from door to door on these big conveyer belts moving really quickly in the air (in the last half of the movie). It resembles a fan and may be scary for little kids; the ceiling fan could remind her of that scene?? Perhaps thats where she picked it up?? You're a great mommy for being concerned about it and not ignoring her fear. I'm sure it'll pass eventually, with calming words from her mom and realizing there's nothing to be scared of! :)

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I'd wait a few days...ask her if she wants to try and "decorate" the blades more like Kelly said, stickers or pics of her favorite stuff.  If it persists for more than a week...maybe consider taking the blades off for awhile...they should just unscrew from their holders?

If you think it's the shadows...try doing shadow puppet shows with her...to give her an idea of how silly things can make shadows do weird things.  

[KellyA74]

Maybe stick pictures of Dennis and Annie on the blades and tell her to "see how much Dennis and Annie love your fan."  Dunno....I don't have little ones so I'm no pro, but you never know!

[LACh1]

hi, i think it is the age because my toddler has suddenly become really afraid of the bath which she had previously loved and couldn't wait to have each night.  It's really hard when you see that look of terror in their eyes which you have never seen before.  All i can say is not to make a big deal out of it and not to try and comfort her too much because i read somewhere that if you rush to them and act all protective then they will think there is something to be really scared about.  I have just continued to give my daughter baths like always but have been really light hearted about it.  Always talking about things she likes in the bath (bubbles, toys, splashing) trying to distract her. It has taken a week but she is getting over it and no longer screams when you go into the bathroom and run the bath.  Maybe if you make a quick reference when she mentions it like 'yes thats the special fan your grandmother made you, look how pretty it is , she liked it so much and it was such a nice fan to her she thought she would give it to you'.  Then move on and continue with your normal nightly routine.  Don't mean to sound harsh but you don't want to make a big deal out of it - good luck.

[onlyme27]

That is a new one on me for sure.  My son is scared of a lot of stuff too. I just try to make him face what he fears. LIke touching the ceiling fan to show that it won't hurt.  You could try sitting in there with her and looking at the shadows together and try to make something fun out of it.

[JoyRenee]

Thanks, hon! I was trying to be really happy and optimistic with the fan a little while ago, but when I walked out the door (which I keep open with the hall light on) I saw her staring at it out of the corner of her eye. It must be the shadows because up until now she has LOVED her ceiling fan. It was my MIL's fan until they got a new one. My MIL painted the blades pink and I bought neat pulls. I guess it is just the age they are. But I have always heard of kids being afraid of the dark,under the bed, or the closet. I just thought the fan was ODD!

[onlyme27]

That movie shouldn't have caused her to fear ceiling fans.  My son and I have that movie memorized.  It she scared of it when it is running and when it is off?  Maybe she is afraid of  the shadows it casts.  Maybe she is afraid it will hurt her.  Try holding her to where she can touch it and see that it won't hurt her (when it is off of course LOL

[JoyRenee]

She won't tell me why. She's only 2 1/2 and so her vocab is excellent, but still limited. She just stared at it with this fear in her eyes I've never seen before. She obviously has gone to sleep. She did watch part of Monsters, Inc. at my in-law's house a couple days ago, but I don't think there were ceiling fans.

[martikadragoon]

I agree. you know... I still won't go into a dark bathroom at night,, even if there's a light on in the hall. I have to turn the bathroom light on.

Maybe you can continue to point out that the fan is a good thing. I would think that the reassurance would help.. OR give her a little toy and say it protects her from "bad things like the fan" IDK.

[onlyme27]

Why does she say that she is scared of the fan?  

[heatherlynn22]

that is kinda odd but rest assured....she's not the only little one afraid of odd things. my nephew is terrified of bathrooms. yeah you get him in a bathroom he SCREAMS his head off. (let me tell you how difficult it is to change the goober when we have to go somewhere....) maybe it's a kid thing. i'm 22 and still terrified of my closet. (i watched one too many horror movies as a kid at my aunts house.....)