Traumatized 18 month old, help!! - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

abby1998 · 10-31-2008, 08:11 PM

So my fiancees ...unusual family came over tonight to visit. My son is 18 months old and he was sitting quietly watching his show. I was in the kitchen and all of a sudden 4 of them come in through the door all dressed up as scary demons with masks. They all ran towards my son making growling noises and one of them picked him up and lifted him up. My son was absolutely terrified. His whole body was trembling uncontrollably and the look on his face just about made me cry. I ran over and flipped out on them and took my screaming son upstairs while he cried for 20 minutes. All night he has been jumpy and nervous. I am so worried that this will permanently traumatize him. I dont know what to do to try and make this better. I really dont want something like this to affect him.

WhiskersOnKittens · 10-31-2008, 10:31 PM

Oh my goodness! Poor little thing... That is just terrible. Tears just about came to my eyes reading your post, because I too have an 18mo ds, and it is just so hard on the parents when the baby gets upset or scared... So I'm sorry for you too!
I don't have much advice for you, unfortunately. But I did just want to let you know that I don't think he'll be traumatized long term or anything by this unfortunate incident. I would expect him maybe to be clingy and jumpy for a few days? He may have a nightmare or two as well, because I know this is the age where they can start experiencing that sort of thing. It's too bad that he's so young as well, so he wouldn't understand you explaining to him what actually happened (that it was just his family acting like morons....).
Anyways, try not to worry about it too much, I'm sure he'll be fine! Just try to be extra attentive to him if he cries at night, or needs you more during the day.

Whiskers

ljpritchard · 10-31-2008, 11:18 PM

Hi this has happened to my daughter when she was 2yrs old. My husband put on a halloween mask it was a bright orange ugly looking pumpkin, he hide behind the bedroom door and waited for my daughter to come down the hall, she was totally out of control even when he took it off she still cryed. She is now 10yrs old no memory of that day, not scared of the dark, does get a little spooked with some movies but I don't think it damaged her at all.

When we tell her about that she thinks its funny.

I think your little man will be just fine.

Good luck

megss · 10-31-2008, 11:50 PM

THAT'S HORRIBLE!!!!!!! What is wrong with people? Who in their right mind would think that an 18 month old would find that amusing. Poor guy. I also don't have any advice, but I don't think it will traumatize him either.
We took DD to a Halloween party tonight, and DH and I dressed up as well. She was horrified of my orange wig (DH and I were Daphne and Fred from Scooby Doo, so nothing scary). So obviously, I didn't get to wear my wig much tonight. I can't imagine how she would have reacted to monster costumes.

AlexaIn2006 · 11-01-2008, 10:05 AM

If this continues you can get the book "The Emotion Code" and you can muscle test him and remove negtative energies. I learned this technique last year, if you go to a chiropractor or anything like that, you may know about muscle testing. It should cure his fear.