How to Calm a Child Who Is Having a Nightmare

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Persistent nightmares could mean that your child is feeling stressed or worried about something -- like starting preschool or being potty-trained. Help your child to deal with whatever is bothering him and you'll both sleep tight.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A reassuring demeanor
"Anti-Monster Spray"
A comforting toy or object
A nightlight or flashlight
A calming bedtime ritual

Step 1: Go to your child

Go to your child as soon as you hear him calling. Hold him close. Tell him, over and over if necessary and in a reassuring tone of voice, "Mommy's here," or "Mommy and Daddy are here."

Step 2: Tread lightly

Don't push him to tell you about the nightmare; he may get upset all over again. But if he wants to talk about it, listen sympathetically.

Tip: Bad dreams are especially scary for kids under five, who can't tell the difference between what's real and what's not.

Step 3: Sweep the room

If he's worried about something in his room -- a monster in the closet, a dragon under his bed -- get rid of the beast by sweeping under the bed and then spritzing the room with a water bottle marked "Anti-Monster Spray."

Step 4: Give him something to cuddle with

Give him something to cuddle with.

Step 5: Wait until he's asleep

Turn on a nightlight or give your child a flashlight to keep by his side. Once your child is calm, stay with him until he goes back to sleep, or is close to drifting off.

Tip: Don't offer to sleep alongside him, and don't invite him into your bed. You'll just start a bad habit that will become a nightmare for you.

Step 6: Avoid scary images before bedtime

To keep the nightmares at bay in the future, don't expose your child to scary images—before bedtime. Establish a calming and regular bedtime routine.

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[Funnyroxy88]

Why am I watching this? Thumbs up if u asked urself that question

[survivealist]

Don't expose your child to scary images........... they should play Maze game.

[brianfalzon92]

I had a dream about Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare On Elm Street! It was about this man and he was burned! Ever since I've been watching clips of Freddy Krueger's evil laughing and killing people, he looks like he was about to attack and kill me! Pretty scary, wasn't it?

[peeish]

Those monsters in the video even scare me. T.T

[MikeTap4321]

Step 1: Get a life sized statue of Chuck Norris

Step 2: Put it in front of his closet

[shadyboy969]

i had a dream i lost my wallet oooohhh ahhh scary huh

[TheCrasella]

i had a nightmare of a hand in my pool trying to grab me and drown me

Pretty scary huh?

[CutieGirl613]

dont ecpose your child to scary images:

mom: HEY ITS BEFORE BEDTIME WANNA SEE SOME SCARY PICS?

kid: ok!

[Onulyx]

@TheHammyChannel1 OMG LOL IM CRACKING UP LMFAO!

[brianfalzon92]

I had the worst nightmare about two ghost trains we're about to haunt me, then someone was touching behind me and I woke up frightening. Pretty scary, isn't it?

[mhlover25]

boy:MOMMY I HAD A NIGHTMARE!

mother:oh sweetie what was it?!

boy:JUSTIN BIEBER TRIED TO KISS ME!

mother:AHHH!!!!!!!!

[twilightfan08291]

REM as in rapid eye movment?