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Post by jenniferg on Oct 12, 2006 21:59:07 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I thought I would share this with you all, and hopefully get an opinion, or suggestion.
For the past 2 months my youngest daughter has been having a recurring dream that a "ghost or something " is trying to " crawl" into her body . And that when it can't, she sees it crawl into other people, and then the people try to kill her. They are people that she doesn't know, and has never seen before she says.
Now, my daughter has a very vivid imagination, and I always take that into account when she is telling me stories. However, she keeps having this dream, and the details don't seem to change a whole lot. I'm not quit sure what I should do. So, if anyone has any advice, it would be appreciated. Thank you
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Post by lildebcc on Oct 13, 2006 7:05:29 GMT -5
Before anyone starts putting paranormal indications into the dream, remember that reoccurring dreams can be the result of unresolved issues. Yeah, even a small child can have some unresolved issues.
Got to take the practical route first. She could have had a bad scare that keeps these images coming back to her. It could also be a way for her mind to deal with something that has happened to her or something that she might have seen happen to someone else or even on television. Could also be some kind of a repressed memory coming out as well.
Do not mean to put any kind of worry to you, but these are things that you need to look at first, before saying that she is having some kind of vision or psychic experience.
I had a reoccurring dream from when I was about 5 until I was 25 years old. It was a giant running after me. He would always catch me, pick me up, hold me way up in the sky and laugh at me. It never changed. When I was 25, I went in for some counseling and some unresolved issues with my father came up, that I put in the back of my mind a long time ago. The giant was my father - makes sense now. After bringing the issues to the surface, facing and dealing with them, then letting them go, the dream stopped.
What you could do, is keep a dream diary for your daughter. If she mentions the dream, or any other ones, write them down and include the dates of the dreams. Also try asking her open ended questions and see if you can find out any other information. Good luck.
>^o.o^<
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Post by aneaglesangel on Oct 13, 2006 9:32:19 GMT -5
I'm not really one to have recurring dreams. The only ones that I did have were deja vu dreams that led up to a terrible car accident that I was involved in. I do agree with lildeb though that this could be something linked to repressed feelings or unresolved issues in her life. Everyone has those kinds of dreams even if they aren't recurring. It's good that she can come to you to talk about this and that is the best approach! I think it's great to talk to your kids about these things. Both of my sons have deja vu dreams that come true. They always come and talk to me about them. I can definitely understand how they can be confusing! Is she old enough to try the dream diary that lildeb suggested? I think that's a great idea and might help to get down to the bottom of what it means. I also know a site that helps to interpret symbolism of dreams. I think the site is www.dreammoods.com so maybe you can find something there that can help you sort it out! Keep us posted on how she's doing! Good luck and I hope we can help you get to the bottom of this! It's so hard when it's your child!! |
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Post by jenniferg on Oct 13, 2006 14:10:15 GMT -5
Thank you all for the advice. As I rarely ever remember my dreams, and cannot remember my last bad one, dreams are something I do not know much about. I like the dream journal idea, and will definitely start one for her. She has bad dreams frequently, so that will be a good way to keep up with what is going on. I will also visit that website, and see what I can find. Again, thank you for the ideas.
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Post by lildebcc on Oct 14, 2006 1:07:08 GMT -5
Interpreting dreams using books or websites is okay, but they are not always accurate. And if you notice, all the books have different meanings for the same thing. Which one is right? Who knows. But it is a good place to start.
A dream diary works for even a young child. Even if all you do is write down the date and say it was a bad dream, at least that much of it was documented. You could also write down little side notes in the diary about things she mentions that might be significant and have something to do with the dreams that she is having. It could always just be her imagination running wild as well; but keeping track of the dreams may help you be able to decipher what is going on. Good luck
>^o.o^<
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Post by aneaglesangel on Oct 14, 2006 9:09:44 GMT -5
Well, the dream books and websites are more for reference. Sometimes it helps you sort things out. Symbolism is very confusing at times! Lord, you should have seen the symbolism and psychology of Children's Literature in college! I was amazed, I had no idea what some of the fairy tales meant. Symbolism sometimes does help to point you in the right direction, but it's not an exact science. I think sometimes it can help you to sort things out. I recently had a dream I couldn't figure out, but reading the symbolism of the images helped me to realize what the dream was really about.
I think it would help alot to keep the dream diary and also to make the notes on what's going on in her life. Sometimes it sheds no light on the situation, but other times it sheds alot of light on things. I do hope you get to the bottom of this! Keep us posted on how she's doing!
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Post by mmecurie68 on Oct 18, 2006 19:58:46 GMT -5
Hi Jenneferg -
My daughter had, around the age of 4 - 5 years old, terrible nightmares.
What I found, is that sometimes, as part of normal child development, when they get ready to make a huge breakthrough - language, motor skills, reading - something big - they can experience night terrors and nightmares also.
First, I tried to make sure that there was nothing overtly emotionally or physically harming her - I think one of the worst things that can happen to a child IS to have something bad happen to you and then have a parent NOT believe you.
Then, discussion and exam with pediatrician to be sure nothing biologically based going on that could be causing the nightmares.
With those things ruled out, I tried to help my daughter gain some control - she really liked a small dream-catcher that my aunt had bought her - so I asked my Dad (who lives in Colorado) to get her a really BIG dream catcher.
He sent us a really super one, a small one with a beautiful spider within a much larger one with a butterfly, and a card explaining all the materials that went into the making of it (deerskin, rabbit fur, pheasant feathers) and what each material meant for the making.
Every night we would take them down, the big one and the small one, and we would blow all the bad dreams that they "caught" away, huffing and puffing, and then I would have her touch them to "charge" them up with her energy for another night of "catching" bad dreams. We would hang them over her head.
Once we started doing this ritual on a nightly basis, the bad dreams pretty much went away except for the occasional "normal" nightmare - it happened really quickly, too - within a couple of weeks.
I think giving her the control and power in terms that she could understand made a huge difference for her.
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Post by lildebcc on Oct 19, 2006 8:34:28 GMT -5
Good idea! I forgot all about the dream catcher thing. My children still use theirs, and they are both in their mid 20's now. Nice to know that some positive reinforcements never leave them.
>^o.o^<
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Post by aneaglesangel on Oct 19, 2006 9:07:48 GMT -5
Me too LOL, I've got a couple of them in my house as a matter of fact. I not only like them for what they symbolize, I think they're really pretty, and I love Native American stuff anyway.
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Post by lildebcc on Oct 19, 2006 9:27:17 GMT -5
I have a few of them in my house. I have no idea if they really work or not, but they do make nice decorations. And if they do work for some people, well - whatever it takes I guess.
>^o.o^<
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Post by mmecurie68 on Oct 19, 2006 20:33:28 GMT -5
I think they're like any other spiritual object - they have the power that you associate and attach to them, for the most part.
For me, there are some objects that culturally, even though they are not a part of my "mainstream" spiritual belief system (Roman Catholic) are part of my ethnic heritage and I have an attraction to them - Celtic art, design, spirituality and Native American art, design, spirituality. I'm sure dogmatically that's completely heretic, but that's who I am.
Just looking at this "special" dreamcatcher that my Dad sent for my daughter - it just resonates with me as a very positive object.
Perhaps it's even more special to me because of the very positive effect it had with my daughter as well - I was just so happy to find something that helped her - it was killing me to watch her suffer.
If it works,. and it's not hurting anyone in the working of it, then I think whatever you're comfortable with is reasonable to try.
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Post by aneaglesangel on Oct 20, 2006 16:05:37 GMT -5
Yeah I feel the same way toward the Native American stuff. My son used to have lots of trouble with nightmares. I got him the dreamcatcher and told him all about it, and what it symbolized. We've even made some together. Maybe it wasn't the dreamcatcher, but it did help him with his nightmares too. Somehow I've always felt a bit drawn toward the Native American culture, little did I know, I do have some Indian blood in me. So was it just that I liked Indians, or did I feel the call of my blood?? I guess I'll never really know for sure. But if it helps my son feel better, and looks good in my house, who am I to complain, LOL!!
Mmecurie, I don't think it's being a heretic at all. Many people have art and such from other cultures in their homes. I think just because a person is drawn to something that isn't necessarily from their religion is wrong. People who have no religious beliefs wear crosses, so why can't you have a dream catcher or two???
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Post by jenniferg on Oct 21, 2006 22:15:58 GMT -5
Hey all, I really appreciate the interest, and suggestions. It helps me, and my daughter to get all the ideas we can.
We have several dream catchers around the house. Both of my daughters have a big one to catch the "really " bad dreams, and a small one to catch the slightly scary dreams. Because my daughter is 9, and as she says " Almost a teenager Mom!!" I try to not get to childish on the ideas I give her. One thing that has been helping lately is the " magic word". I tell my daughter that when she falls asleep, I will come in and whisper a magic word, that will help keep the bad dreams away. So far this is working about 60% of the time. I have stared a dream journal for her also.
Thanks again!!
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Post by aneaglesangel on Oct 22, 2006 9:47:54 GMT -5
Yes, it does get harder when they get older. My youngest is 14 now, and we have to speak in much more scientific terms. I've explained to him that in my eyes, magic can really work, because magic is just positive thinking in my eyes. I tell him if he can believe that he has power over something, then, almost like magic, he does. My son is the total science buff, so we have some pretty interesting conversations! I'm glad that we are so open in my house, for he is turning out to be one brave kid!! Sees an apparition twice in my house, and it doesn't even phaze him, LOL! The key thing is that I've been as open as I can with him about the activity in our homes. I've tried to take a pretty scientific approach, and it seems to me, he enjoys wondering about the science of ghosts, more than being afraid of why they show up at our house so often, LOL! When he was having terrible nightmares it was a bit easier to take it into scientific terms with him. He also had to take medication that could cause nightmares, unfortunately.
But in the middle of the night, in the throes of a nightmare, science doesn't always have a place, LOL! The comfort of a mother has no replacement!! I think your daughter is lucky to have you, and as long as you're by her side, comforting her, I think as time goes on, this will get better! My son has long since stopped having nightmares, even with his medication. When he does have the occasional bad dream, he's more than willing to talk about it, bring it out into the light, and see it for what it is. He now understands that there aren't any monsters, just his mind trying to work out the complications of life. So, if my son can get past his bad dreams, sooner or later, so will your daughter!
Keep us posted on how she's doing! Here's a big hug for you mom, just for being there for her!!!
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Post by lildebcc on Oct 22, 2006 15:49:28 GMT -5
Glad to hear that you started the dream journal. Are you keeping it, or are you letting her keep it? It is amazing to see paternes form in the dreaming and be able to figure some things out becaue of it. Good luck.
>^o.o^<
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