J, our youngest son, is a bit scared of a few things. He loves slides but won't countenance anything that swings. There are also particular mechanical noises that really frighten him. We have been working on this by holding him and then going together to find out what the noise is. Today, it was someone with an electric saw, cutting down a tree across the canal from us. Safely with Mummy, he waved and giggled at the men cutting the tree down. But still wanted to sit with me for the next half hour or so.
By far his biggest fear is water. Mainly of the getting washed in it kind. When we were at the Foster Carer's home, we saw him having a shower and he was terrified. Screaming, distressed, terrified. And he's not a screamy, whingy, child at all. Showers aren't great for kids, but apparently he wasn't much for baths either.
At our house, he was obviously very nervous of the bath. Happy to watch the water coming out of the taps, but very resistant to get anywhere near to getting in the bath. Even when it was dry and he was fully clothed.
So we decided I would go in the bath with him. Night one, he yelled lots just getting his clothes off. So I held him and soothed once he was undressed until he calmed down. Then we got in the bath, and he screamed again, so I held him against me, but out of the water, until he calmed. And then gradually, safe with Mummy, he discovered the joys of splashing! Within about 10 minutes, we had a happy, laughing boy, in the bath.
Yesterday, our friend Jill brought round some toys for playing with in the bath, which we tried out in the garden in a bowl of water first. Both boys love them! When it came to bath time, J still definitely needed to be very very close to Mummy, but he actually asked to be undressed so he could have his bath. I can't tell you how delighted I am to have conquered the bath thing! He can have fun at bath time now!!
Perhaps we'll leave swimming for a few weeks though.....
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