Nearly all of us have nightmares from time to time, but these often terrifying dreams can be especially difficult for children. It is very typical for kids to want to be near their parents after having a nightmare of scary dream. When your child comes to you in the middle of the night after being frightened by a nightmare, it is usually best not to have him sleep in your room for the rest of the night. Offering to let your son or daughter sleep in your bed can send a message that you don’t believe he or she can feel safe alone. Generally speaking, the best thing you can do is to comfort your child and let him know that you believe he can overcome his fears.

The goal is to take a few minutes to help calm and comfort your child. Let him know that you are just across the hall and that it was all just a bad dream. Do whatever your child needs you to do in order to help him feel safe. Some kids like to have a nightlight in their room or maybe you need to check the closet to ensure your child that no monsters are living in there. Helping your child face his fears and showing him that everything will truly be alright will quickly help to build his confidence. By facing a nightmare head-on, your child will be able to handle future bad dreams in a much more confident and independent manner.