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So many fears come alive when it's time for bed, especially to the young, whom have vivid imaginations that do not have an 'off' switch. Darkness can bring about an infinite amount of fears. The endless stretch of shadows that blanket the room. The scattered, shady objects that lie about your floor and stand in the corner. What could those be? Perhaps a creature waiting to pounce? Then there are the sounds and the changes in atmosphere. A car passing by can create a flash on the wall and twist the shadows. What strange creature in a child's mind has such an awing and frightening power? The booming and crashing thunder shattering the silence outside your window as you lay in your bed, enshroud in darkness. Or even the ceaseless chirping of crickets and squawks of nocturnal animals. Maybe the heater turning on sounds the roar of some giant beast, or the sound of trees scraping against sides of houses are turned into the clanking of claws as a creature scales the wall towards your room.

Yes, the darkness presents a lot of fears to the young, and sometimes even the old. For a while a child might be permitted a night light in their room to fend off the darkness. Or a parent can leave on the hall or bathroom light. The door might be left open partially to make a child feel they aren't closed off from their parents. It might not be best to let your child sleep with you, in fear this will become a habit, but maybe sleep in your child's room to show there is nothing to fear. While young children can share a room or bunk in each other's rooms to feel safer and they discuss together how they'll fight off all the evil that lurks about.

Make sure to explain to your children what certain noises are, and point out that the coat hanging in the corner is NOT a monster waiting to pounce. Give them the idea to count sheep. Not in the classic style, though. Tell them to imagine the sheep jumping over the fence, doing tricks over it, being chased by farmers over it, even tunneling under it. Just to take their mind off of what could get them in the night. Give them something to look forward to the next day. And if a child shuts their eyes they won't be able to see the darkness around them. So have them shut their eyes and imagine anything that doesn't involve being chased by monsters and being surrounded by shadows.

Although these little things might help, a child needs to find out for themselves that there is nothing to fear. They have to learn that the monsters they believe in aren't real. It's a key part of growing up, and even though it's scary, it's a fun part for a child.

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