MM,
When we were little we were warned about the things that go bump in the night. If we misbehaved or we didn't close our eyes and go to sleep our parents warned us that the monster under our bed would get us. We are patronized because as kids we clearly don't know better.
When I was little I believed in the things that go bump in the night. I slept with a stuffed lion, but he really was a protector. They couldn't touch me when I had Rex with me. Now I know what you are thinking. Every kid has a stuffed animal and every kid thinks their stuffed animal is a superhero. And I know there are doctors and psychologists that suggest a stuffed animal as a part of a calming ritual. Lisa Medoff suggests, "You can also have a calming ritual that you do after a nightmare occurs, such as plugging in a special nightlight, petting a stuffed animal (or a pet), or singing a particular song. Just make sure it ends with you saying something like, “I know you’re okay now. I love you. Good night,” and leaving the room. (Medoff) She also argues, that "Nightmares, in both children and adults, often arise during times of stress and uncertainty. Preschool children may be more prone to experiencing nightmares than are older or younger children because they are going though a period of major adjustments." (Medoff) There is one problem with argument and in that it assumes that every nightmare is cause by stress and uncertainty. What about kids who live in healthy homes and live in happiness and wellness? What stress do they have? Her argument also leaves out the possibility that the kid is right and that there things that go bump in the night.
Why are we so ready to believe that the things that go bump in the night are not real? Because we are afraid? Because it is easier to rule the world if there is nothing more powerful than us? Children in so many ways are smarter than adults. They haven't been taught to accept the lie and nor are they willing too. They are not stupid, they know that if they are scared that there is a reason for it. Are we so advanced that we are happy to let science explain everything for us? That now we do not think for ourselves. If you scrape your knee do you really need science to explain why it hurts.
