No Tricks Just Tips to Help Your Kids Catastrophic Thinking and Anxiety
Oct 28, 2024
Halloween—love it or loathe it, it’s here to stay! For most kids, this spooky season of trick or treat means parties, costumes, and stuffing their faces with sweets. But for some, it’s a time of terrifying thoughts, sleepless nights, and one-too-many night-time visits from the ‘monster under the bed.’
So, how do you help your little one keep those Halloween frights at bay? Let’s dive in!
I’m Scared!
You know that witches and zombies aren't real (well, at least we hope not!), but your two-year-old doesn’t! Those strange costumes, dark decorations, and people popping out of nowhere can stir up all sorts of fears.
And it’s not just the littlest ones getting spooked; even older kids find themselves feeling jittery around this time. That creaking floorboard is definitely a ghost coming to get them at 3am!
So, what can you do to keep the spooky at bay and make Halloween a treat instead of a trick?
The Fear Factor: What’s Really Going On?
Kids process information differently, and they might not understand that the spooky décor or creepy costumes aren’t real (remember we expect them to believe Father Christmas is real so costumes can be convincing).
Bed time creates the perfect time for the imagination to come out to play. When it’s dark and quiet, their minds can wander off to some pretty scary places. So when they wake you for comfort it may be hard to explain how or what they are feeling. Kids don’t always know why they feel scared or anxious at night. Sometimes, “I had a nightmare” is the only explanation they can give when you’re asking, “Why are you awake again?”
And while nightmares are normal, especially after seeing spooky stuff, they can leave kids feeling anxious and unsafe. So, when they show up beside your bed at 3 a.m., try these tips to taming terror!
Taming the Halloween Terror: Tips to Calm Catastrophising
- Be Their Monster Expert!
You’re already a pro at extinguishing imaginary monsters—so use that superpower! Listen to your child’s fears and respond calmly. They might say there’s a ghost outside their window, so go and show them it’s just a shadow from the tree or a curtain moving in the breeze. Show them the ‘scary’ things aren’t real, and the unknowns become less threatening. If they can, ask them to describe what they saw and turn it into something funny. “Oh, a giant talking pumpkin? Bet he wanted to ask for some of your Halloween sweeties!” This simple reframing helps them see things in a less scary light. - Make a “Bother Box”
Worries love to lurk in little minds, so give them a place to go! Grab a shoebox and let your child decorate it however they want—stickers, glitter, the works! Then whenever they feel worried or scared, they can draw or write their fear and ‘lock it away’ in the box. Then as part of your Us Time together (more on Us Time here Us Time ) go through the box and talk through what they’ve put inside, offering reassurance that all those worries are safely contained. - End the Day on a High Note
Before bed, help your child shift their focus from fears to positives. Ask them to share three good things that happened that day. This bedtime ritual not only brings the day to a happy close but helps them go to sleep thinking about what made them smile, not what made them scared. - Keep the Routine Alive
Halloween’s all about breaking the rules—late nights, too much sugar, and costumes that are too tight. But for anxious kids, sticking to some semblance of routine is key. Keep their bedtime rituals in place, whether it’s a bath, a bedtime story, or a little Us Time chat before lights out. Familiar routines provide comfort, especially when everything else seems a little too spooky. - Lead by Example
It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill and chills of Halloween, but if your child sees you jumping at every little thing, they’ll start thinking, “Wait, if Mum’s scared, maybe I should be too!” Show them how to stay calm, even if a spider decoration suddenly drops from the ceiling. Model how to handle fear in a positive way, and they’ll follow your lead.
Helping Your Child Face the Fear Factor
Catastrophic thinking—expecting the worst—can show up in many ways, not just during Halloween. It might be refusing to get on their bike because they’re scared they’ll fall, or not wanting to try new foods because “it’ll taste horrible.”
The key is to challenge these thoughts gently. Ask, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Then help them find a more realistic outcome. If they’re worried about falling off their bike, remind them that they’ve fallen before and got back up. The more you help them see the positive side, the less they’ll focus on the catastrophic.
Encourage your child to create a daily routine where they can reflect. ‘U-Time’ for themselves is important to process their thoughts and feelings. Children of all ages just love yoga and guided mediations, so get them practicing as early as possible.
I’m currently creating a mini-meditation and yoga course for young children, if you’re interested and would like your little one to try it out for free, email me [email protected] with your child’s age and anything you feel they need support with, such as sleeping, food, transitioning to childcare/ nursery / school or separation anxiety, and I’ll create a guided meditation for them.
And if you need extra support, I’ve got just the thing!
Check out my new Mumatherapy® mini-course, Chaos to Calm: STOP CATASTROPHISING, full of quick and easy tips and techniques such as EFT and hypnotherapy to help ease those catastrophic thoughts—you can do from the comfort of your own bed.(click pink link for more info) Chaos to Calm More Info Please
Final Thoughts
Halloween doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With a little empathy, some monster-busting techniques, and lots of reassurance, you can help your child face their fears and maybe even turn those ‘spooky’ nights into fun, laughter-filled ones.
After all, the only thing we have to fear is...running out of sweets! 🍬👻
Happy Halloween Mummy!
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