Nightmares

Anyone with children knows that kids have nightmares. Usually they are nightmares about monsters and what not. But my oldest came to me the other morning letting me know what some kids were talking about at school that made him have nightmares.

L: "Mom, you know what I had a nightmare about last night?"

Me: "No, what?"

L saying very dramatically with many arm gestures: "Chuckie! And I don't even know who that is!!"

At this point, I am half laughing and half wondering; "Who the heck let's their first grader watch Chuckie!?"
Then I have a flashback of when I was younger and my older stepbrothers watched Nightmare On Elm Street and I was in on it with no second thought. I was forever tainted from scary movies and am STILL scared of Freddie *chills*!

I then ask him: "Well, have they actually seen the movie or were they just talking about Chuckie?"

L: "No! They have seen the movie!"

Me: "Ok, what do you think Chuckie is then?"

L: "A doll that comes to life and murders people!"

Me: "Um... Ok!!"

I have never had to go into such a speech about how movies are fake and that what is on the movies IS NOT real. Only something that they may create with a computer. And I had to stress the fact that dolls DO NOT come to life, ever. Also, nothing like that can find you and come through your window and get you.

I also had to go through some relaxation techniques that I have been taught. I tried my best to teach him to calm his mind and put a nice picture in there instead of whatever he believes Chuckie looks like. Which didn't work, but it may in the future.

All of this was a but funny, but I dared not laugh at him while he was in such a panic. But it also made me realize that kids do not stay kids as long as they should anymore! I may seem like a prude if I do not let my kids watch a certain show or listen to certain music. But in my mind I am keeping them kids and their minds fresh as long as I can. Hopefully it will work. I guess we will have to just wait and see.