Worried my daughter is developing a phobia after witnessing a distressing event.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh for Pete's sake. You are going to let her crumble at THIS, op

So, so glad I have boys

Yes because 7 year old boys would not be freaked out by 100s of baby spiders in their hair and then being dunked in a lake.

Move on.

I have boys and a girl, and I would think this was kind of funny, and kind of cool, actually, and encourage them to laugh about it. You can be freaked out but also recognize that logically there's no reason to be, and learn to laugh about it. Even at 7.

[Anonymous]

She may develop a lifelong phobia. I had an incident with frogs when I was very young and till this day I can't stand them, they freak me out horribly. Even though I know they are harmless I freak out when I see one.

[Anonymous]

Please stop with the trigger warnings. They are annoying. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please stop with the trigger warnings. They are annoying. Thanks.

This.

When did everything become a reason to freak out, FFS? I hate spiders too, but it's not like she posted pictures of thousands of hatching spiders. Good god.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop with the trigger warnings. They are annoying. Thanks.

This.

When did everything become a reason to freak out, FFS? I hate spiders too, but it's not like she posted pictures of thousands of hatching spiders. Good god.

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read the thread, just scrolled right to the bottom to post this. I want to thank you, OP, for posting the trigger/ phobia alert! You probably saved me from nightmares tonight, whatever the story is. I hope your daughter is okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh for Pete's sake. You are going to let her crumble at THIS, op

So, so glad I have boys

Yes because 7 year old boys would not be freaked out by 100s of baby spiders in their hair and then being dunked in a lake.

Move on.

I have boys and a girl, and I would think this was kind of funny, and kind of cool, actually, and encourage them to laugh about it. You can be freaked out but also recognize that logically there's no reason to be, and learn to laugh about it. Even at 7.

Would not have phased my kids. Three boys and two girls. One of them would have pulled out a phone to video the whole thing. But they were raised in the country. They aren't afraid of bugs, spiders, snakes....

OP, she'll take her cue from you. Don't make a big deal about it. Talk about how scared the poor baby spiders probably were.

[Anonymous]

The more you coddle her and shield her the less chance she'll get over it and will continue the dramatics. Stop indulging her. It's bugs for heavens sake. When I was a kid a neighborhood boy threw a bunch of worms in my hair. They were all tangled in it. It was disgusting. My dad picked them out. He'd never let me scream and carry on over things like a string in my shorts. It's really ridiculous. Stop. Indulging. Her.

[Anonymous]

Wait, this didn't actually happen to her? It happened to a friend and she saw it?

How do you know if she is actually afraid or if she is just "playing scared" because it gets a reaction from you?

[Anonymous]

I had a bad insect experience when I was young and am still scared of that type of bug. But I still go go camping and to orchards etc. I don't think my parents could have done much to help me get over it completely.

It sounds pretty traumatic, both to see the spiders and the adults panicking. I think you're right to validate her fears. I'm creeped out just reading about it. "Yes, that was scary, yes, anyone would be disturbed by that." But then talk through why that is very unlikely to happen again. Talking through things can help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please stop with the trigger warnings. They are annoying. Thanks.

I thought it was funny. Get a sense of humor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The more you coddle her and shield her the less chance she'll get over it and will continue the dramatics. Stop indulging her. It's bugs for heavens sake. When I was a kid a neighborhood boy threw a bunch of worms in my hair. They were all tangled in it. It was disgusting. My dad picked them out. He'd never let me scream and carry on over things like a string in my shorts. It's really ridiculous. Stop. Indulging. Her.

+1

Op, she's going to grow up exactly like you -- terrified of her own shadow. Is that what you want?