I doubt it will be a lifelong issue. Although most people I know would say they hate spiders without an incident like this to point to. She will not be irreparably harmed.

Poor girls! I'd be traumatized, too. I hated Charlotte's Web as a child because I was that terrified of spiders. I grew out of it by adolescence.

I think the best thing to do is to listen and then gently remind her that this was a freak incident and the majority of spiders are harmless if not beneficial.

Read her Charlotte's Web. Talk to her about useful spiders are. How amazing they are in how they make webs. Etc.

It's freaky, PP, watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnGt77u9ncU

Why did I watch that? Do yourself a favor and don't watch that.

Honestly, it didn't bother me that much. It's a little gross, but its nature.

I would give it six months before I would call this a phobia or suggest therapy. Right now is immediately after the event and she's entitled to be a bit traumatized.

Be sympathetic but matter of fact. Redirect.

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

So, so glad I have boys

But are they glad they have you? You sound as if you lack compassion... something that is not gender specific and have some stereotypical views about gender. Not exactly mom of the year qualities.

Give her some time, but also give her incentives to push past the fear. Does not want to go swimming? Tell her you understand that it reminds her of the spiders, but it is not the same thing, and is she pushes past her fear, she gets a popciscle ( or whatever will encourage her). The general idea is that you acknowledge pushing past the fear is painful so you make sure there is a reward at the end.

You may also want to talk about possibility and probability. Sure, her fear is real because she saw it happen, but the probability of it happening again is very, very, very tiny.

Thank you everyone. As I said I did think this was something that would pass but didn't see the harm in asking if I could possibly do more for my daughter.

I added the trigger warning just in case anyone was arachnophobic and I am glad I did. Sorry to freak everyone else out.

I have to admit anytime I think about what happened it gives me the heebie-jeebies as well.

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

It's freaky, PP, watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnGt77u9ncU

Why did I watch that? Do yourself a favor and don't watch that.

I was terrified of spiders for near a year around age 10. I had a strict daily cleaning regimen to get rid of webs in my bedroom, I was so scared. The reason for it starting wasn't even as freaky as your DD's. Then it just went away. These things pass.

Soooo gross I am going to throw up!

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

So, so glad I have boys

It's freaky, PP, watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnGt77u9ncU

Yes. I'm 40 and still terrified of them. Something happened when I was little, I don't remember but the fear remains to this day.

Well I'm 42 years old and your post freaked me out.

Anonymous wrote:I think the intensity will pass for sure. I have felt squimish at times after but experiences, and even a dangling string would make me jump too. I think her reaction is normal.

+1