30/10/2025
Sometimes our children are afraid of monsters, or things lurking under the bed, or something scary they heard from a friend, or they saw on the TV.
And with Halloween coming, October is full of playful frights - costumes, pumpkins, and jump scares.
But for many or our children (and parents), the hardest fears aren’t on the doorstep at Halloween — they live in the nervous system.
Fear is normal when danger is real. But when it shows up in safe situations, it can feel overwhelming and confusing.
💡Try this:
Name the fear out loud without judgement. “I can see your body feels scared right now.” Naming it helps separate the feeling from the child’s identity. Then sit with them as they feel the feeling, and realise that it isn't as scary as they thought...
Your Child and Adolescent Psychologist,
Lorraine Xx