Monsters in the Closet?

Does your child fear the "Monsters in the closet?" Maybe they're under the bed instead, or maybe he or she wakes up screaming from a bad dream and can't calm down and go back to sleep.

Plenty of parents have shared this experience and felt helpless to assure their children that all is well.

Overcoming these fears may be as simple as turning off the TV - kids do absorb all that horrible stuff they see. Even some shows geared for children are full of violence and fear-inducing images.

It might also help to stop talking about fearful subjects when the kids are listening.They can pick up on your conversations and translate them into imaginary terrors even more horrifying than the events taking place in the world. If you yourself are fearful, they will of course pick that up. Kids are "tuned in" far more than the average adult.

Meanwhile, a bottle of Rock Rose on the bedside table could let you all get some restful sleep. This is the Bach Flower Essence of courage - the one that helps banish terror.

Rock Rose is one of the ingredients in Feel5ive - the formula that lets you face stressful events with calm assurance. I use it if I have to go to the dentist (a horror from youth that won't go away) or if I have to drive or ride a long way on icy roads. It also helps when preparing to speak in public, go on a job interview, or any of a hundred other things that create a stressful anticipation.

Sleeping pills are not a good idea for children - and could actually cause greater nightmares, along with other harmful side effects. So if your little one needs a dose of courage to chase away that closet monster, get a bottle of Rock Rose.

Bach Flowers to the rescue - again

A few days ago a friend confided to me that he hadn't slept well in months. He'd taken prescriptions and over the counter medicines, with no relief. Finally he tried melatonin. The melatonin made him sleep, but even it made him feel groggy and slow-witted for the whole next day. He just didn't know what to do next.

Now this friend is not in the best of health - and he takes so many prescriptions that he's sure they're all fighting in his body. But the doctors tell him to take them, so he does. I suppose he's more afraid not to take them than he is of the side effects.

I considered his problem and the fact that for a short while I had experienced sleeping problems. I thought about the bottle of Feel Bach Sweet Dreams on my shelf. Then I decided there was no harm in trying, and yesterday took him the bottle. I knew it was safe, and if it was the wrong formula for him it would do no harm.

What I didn't know was if he would take it, since he believes in prescriptions. But he said he'd try it - he felt desperate. I cautioned him that sometimes it takes several days to notice the change, and wondered if he'd stick with it.

Well, Bach Flowers must have been exactly what he needed, because this morning he called to tell me he had awakened only once during the night, and had taken more at that time. And this morning, he felt rested for the first time in months.

Wow. I had no idea it could work that quickly! I'm sure glad I shared.

Is there someone in your life who would benefit from you sharing? If so, just do it. Helping that way feels really good!

Yours for happiness,
Marte