[kjpsmom]

My daughter is 2 years old and recently started freaking out because she says the monsters are going to get her and tells me to lock the door. She said its black and it tells her NO. Last night she woke up freaking out and said something was going to get her. I don't know if its her imagination or if I should be more worried?!

[Fr_Chuck]

Is she being allowed to watch too "active" TV. Esp now with all the commercials on TV for Halloween.

Next if a 2 year old did not get a imaginary person, some good and some bad, I would be more worried,

Do you do a monster hunt before bed time, search under the beds, put a magic cord ( colored string) on the closet door to keep the monsters out ?

Has anything happened in her life that was a major change/

[jenniepepsi]

Try Chucks ideas. They are wonderful ideas. Also remmeber to be patient with her. I remember how hard it was to be patient with my daughter about the monsters. It gets old after a while.

But its perfectly normal. It means her imagination is starting to develop and that's a GOOD thing. My daughter didn't go through this state until she was 6. that is BAD. (she is developmentally delayed) the imagination and fears about 'scary monsters' are supposed to start around 2 to 3 years.

Though its frustrating, its OK, and just be there for her.

Good luck! :)

And +1 on chucks question about any major life changes. Such a move, new baby (in any part of the family) new daycare or caregiver. Things like that

[Fr_Chuck]

I am a father of 5 boys, 4 of them in their 30's now. All of them had some friend, and others had monsters, or evil friends, who did evil things ( if things got broke it was the monster)

But bedtime was a monster hunt for many years going though all the boys. I had a special monster gun, forgot exactly what it was something I made in a shop, and we would make sure it was clear every night.

For nightmares, and they do happen, still do with my 10 year old if I let him watch the wrong TV at night. But I get up, go into his room, maybe go to the kitchen and do some hot choc or a small milk and I let him tell me about it. My guess a lot of the story gets made up a lot more in the telling but OK. I then go do the monster hunt again, and back to bed. What I do not do is put him in my bed ( when he was 2) since they often learn to use those stories to get into the parents bed too often.

[Wondergirl]

When my sons went through the monster stage, I gave them a Glow-worm doll that had a small flashlight inside. We'd also use a special silver-colored and decorated spray bottle filled with magic air to get rid of monsters before going to sleep. (I whipped up a huge story to introduce the boys to this magic bottle.)

Be full of common sense and don't act panicky. Be the wise parent who will find ways to defeat all monsters.

[Mommi]

We use Monster Repellent. I made some "homemade" that was basically watered down mouth wash with some spices thrown in to make it look awesome. I've also heard of just using air freshener, just make sure you DON'T get a holiday/seasonal only scent so you can get more throughout the year.