I’m Afraid of the Dark
Email 1
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Subject Line: I’m Afraid of the Dark, Part One
Dear Parents,
Everyone is afraid of something or a few somethings. For preschoolers, the list usually includes big dogs, getting in trouble, being away from you, and the dark. The dark—that’s a really scary place!
This video enables you to help your preschooler overcome what we know to be an unjustified fear. You’ll discover how to do so without making your preschooler feel worthless or dumb. You’ll discover that by acknowledging their fear as real you can replace it with something just as real…only better.
When working with your preschooler to overcome their fear of the dark, don’t be afraid to let them know what you are afraid of now as well as what you were afraid of at their age, and tell them how you came to terms with these things. I also want you to remember that I’m here to help in any way I can.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me to let me know how I can pray for you and your family.
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/149143124/c0b98fc7bc
Thanks for being such a great parent,
Preschool Pastor
Email 2
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Subject Line: I’m Afraid of the Dark, Part Two
Parents,
I hope this month’s Online Parenting Class blessed you.
Let’s continue our ‘discussion’ on helping your child deal with their fear of the dark. It’s something nearly every parent is faced with at one time or another. Chances are you were even afraid of the dark when you were a preschooler. And since I’m fairly certain you’ve gotten over that fear, it’s safe to say your child will do the same. As a parent, you can make it a bit easier for them if you:
1.Don’t make fun of them or belittle them for being afraid. Their fears are real and big, and it’s your job to make them smaller and smaller until they’re gone.
2.This is a case for show-n-tell. It’s not enough to tell a preschooler they don’t have to be afraid of the dark. You have to show them there’s nothing to be afraid of. Look in the closet, under the bed, or outside the window with them, proving all is well.
3.Plug in a night light or put glow-in-the-dark shapes on their wall or ceiling to help lull them to sleep and calm their fears. NOTE: The glow-in-the-dark shapes are especially helpful since it has to be dark for them to work. This helps little ones see the dark as a fun place to be.
4.Eat family dinners by candlelight once in a while. This makes the dark a peaceful, happy place to be. 5.Lay on a blanket outside and look up at the stars with your preschooler. Talk to them about the stars and how God made the earth so perfect and wonderful.
6.Pray with your preschooler each night at bedtime with the lights out. Make sure you thank God for the dark that helps us rest, and pray for your little one’s heart to be at peace.
The Bible says, “ In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” ~Psalm 4:8
Partnering with you,
Preschool Pastor
Video Script
At some point during your Parenting journey, there’s a really good chance you’ll experience a familiar moment.
You just finish a long day of washing dishes, playing tag in the back yard, and fixing bowls of goldfish crackers and you finally get to that “finish line” where the kids are in bed and you can relax.
Just when you take a deep sigh and begin to relax, your sweet baby comes out of their room in tears. And it’s those “real tears” not the ones they use when they’re just trying to get something.
They are scared of the dark. They’re terrified to stay in their room, and they’ve come to you for help.
What do you do?
Well here are 3 things you can do right away to help your child.
First, Try to discover the cause of the problem.
There are many reasons a child can be afraid of the dark. Here are a few… You might have a child who’s blessed with an active imagination, but in this case it’s kind of a curse because they are turning shadows into monsters in their room. You also might have a child who’s struggling with separation anxiety. They hate being away from you, and their fear of the dark is more likely a fear of being alone. They also might have seen something on television that scared them, and their having trouble getting the image out of their head.
There are many reasons for having a fear of the dark, but with just a few intentional questions you might be able to discover the cause. That will really help you work towards a solution.
Second, Pray with your child.
This is where our faith can make a huge difference in the life of our child. Instead of just telling them to “think happy thoughts” and go to bed. We can talk to the creator of the universe on their behalf. Pray things like, “God, you set the stars in their place and you are the strongest one in the Universe. Would you please comfort my child and watch over them as they sleep.” The very cool truth is that God was already doing just that, but when your child hears you pray this truth they can be reminded that God doesn’t sleep, and He is with them.
Third, Offer them a small light of some kind.
You may disagree with me here, but I personally believe that “night lights” are awesome. To give your child just a small bit of light that pierces the darkness in their room has the potential to solve the problem right away. If the “night light” works for your child, then I say go for it! It will help them adjust to sleeping in the dark, and eventually they probably won’t even need it. A night light just gives them some comfort to work through this fear over time.
The most important response we can have as Parents who’s kids are scared of the dark is to just “Be there”. Don’t make your child feel silly for having a very normal fear, and make sure they know that they are not alone in facing that fear. You can face the fear together!
TIP: Choose a hashtag for your tweets and use it consistently. That will tell Twitter to store a list of your tweets on one place for later reference.
Tweet One: The dark is the daytime without the sun #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry
Tweet Two: Nightlights can be a kid’s best friend #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry
Tweet Three: Nightlights aren’t for sissies they’re for night time #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry
Tweet Four: Everyone’s afraid of something #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry
Tweet Five: Let your light shine before men #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry
Tweet Six: The dark is for sleeping and dreaming #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry
Tweet Seven:There’s nothing wrong with having a nightlight #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry
Tweet Eight:Twinkling stars are God’s nightlights #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry
Tweet Nine: To glow in the dark you have to be in the dark #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry
Tweet Ten:Being afraid of the dark is something you outgrow so just keep growing #Don’tbeafraidofthedark #urchurchparentministry