To ward off bad dreams:

Use “bad dream” spray.  Spray perfume around the room and on the pillowcase.  The “magic spray” will keep all the bad guys, monsters, ghosts, boogeymen away.  If it doesn’t work the first time, try a different fragrance, which is “extra strength”.

Dream catchers help ward off evil spirits that can “haunt” your child’s imagination.  These can be purchased online, Native American reservations, or made etc.

Night terrors

Night Terrors are different that nightmares. See www.nightterrors.org for more in depth information.

In a night terror, things are different. It feels like it’s really happening. It’s hard to describe to someone who hasn’t had one. They have the perception as if you are awake in a horror film.

It might feel mean, but it is important to recommend your child go to school. This will help keep their mind off of the experience.

How to get out of a Night terror

Since realizing what they were in my early 30’s, I came up with a strategy. It works for me, and I taught my coolest son, Dylan, how to do it.

First of all, do not panic. It may be hard at first, but try to stop and think, is this possible? Is this reality?

If you can accomplish the first step, it is important to realize that what is happening is not real life; it might just be a night terror.

Next, it is a great advantage to keep thinking, “This is NOT real, and this is a night terror.” If you can do this, chances are that you can snap to reality faster and save yourself a few bad thoughts. Wake up.

Repetition might be necessary to get out of this state of mind.

If this technique does not work the first time, you can always try again and train your mind to snap out of it faster. Although this works for my family and me there is always a chance that it might not work once or twice or ever. We recommend that you come up with your own skill to “get out” or repeat this.