Thread: Lingering Thoughts... (Cyg's Journal)

An interesting topic to say the least. My son is interesting when it comes to fears. He's an extremely cautious boy, probably too much so that it affects his social behaviors. However, this is just how he is. Naturally. Without intervention or influence. And it's something I've just come to accept about him. That said, about the haunted house thing. Here, my son has indeed been a curious sort. Back when he was 2 yrs old, we brought him and his sister a very tiny baby at the time to a haunted house designed specifically for very small children. Meaning, it took scary themes and made them funny and cute. However, the lighting was still dark and the music still creepy and, for my son, that was enough for him. At that time anyway. As such, we didn't force him to finish. Instead, we escorted him out and had him choose where else he wanted to go on the farm we were visiting that day. Needless to say, he was good after that and had fun the remainder of the day. However, and here's where it gets rather odd. He wanted to watch 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' with me. I'd set myself up to watch it while he and my daughter were having some dad time in the play room, figuring I could get my movie in while they were occupied yet if they walked in wouldn't be scared off their rocker. Anyway, my son asked to sit with me. I explained what I was going to watch. He wanted to stay. With TNBC being a Disney movie and the like, I determined it would be fine for him to watch. Especially if I let him know something semi scary was going to happen the scariest probably that last scene with Oogie. Anyhow, he watched the whole thing with me and LOOOOOVED it. He loved it so much that the kid now has a Jack Skellington plush doll that he carries around everywhere! LOLOL. This little segue into 'horror and scary' for my son was just what he needed too. Something tame and fun and only on tv for him to get a taste of it and see it wasn't real. Anyhow, he loves that movie to pieces now and asks to watch it quite often. Also, because of that movie, he had an ultra blast trick or treating last year. He laughed at the people dressed up all scary like and didn't even flinch at the guy who tried to show him his 'creepy snake' get this... my son is a MEGA HUGE snake fan now, wanting one for a pet with a desperation I've never before seen, LOL!. And this year, he's been telling me about how excited he is for Halloween. He wants to dress up and see the scary houses! XD I guess, the thing is this. People need to understand and accept their children for the sorts they are. When introducing them to themes that may be questionable, it's about finding the right way to approach them. A way that won't scare them or make them feel badly. It can take time and, personally, I think I kind of got lucky with the whole Jack Skellington thing. What's most important is that your child feels safe, knows that mommy andor daddy will be there for them and love them unconditionally, that they won't get mad over things they cannot control or is just a part of the person they are. Those such things are so key when it comes to parenting and, really, bonding with your child. That said, thanks for sharing this, CK. 3