How to help your child overcome his fear of Thunderstorms?

Question

When he see's a storm making he so frighten a tornado is coming, that he is constantly looking out the door or windows. He is also asking me and his dad he is a tornado coming. I would really appreciate some advice how to help him.

Answer 1

As long as he isn't hiding under the beds or screaming because of the storm i wouldn't worry to much.  He is safety aware which is good.  My boys see dark clouds and think a storm is coming but they are ok as far as they just watch for any signs of it getting worse (including watching weather channel) and will run to the basement they even mention a tornado warning near us but they don't run and scream and they can sleep through a storm.  Just get some books about storms and how to tell if they are getting stronger or not and show him the weather channel so he knows how bad the storm is expected to get and let him know that if a tornado is spotted alarms will sound so there is nothing to be scared of.  

Answer 2

both u & your hubby need to remain extremely calm during a storm & reassure him of how its ok and only the rain and nothing more. Has he seen or been in a tornado ? If so he may have to have some therapy to get over his fear.

Answer 3

make him watch a funny movie thts what my parents did with me.  

Answer 4

Personally, i outgrew my fear. i was the same way.

When a thunderstorm was starting, and my mom/dad was going around the house closing windows, i'd be practically hanging on them haha. or if they'd ask me to go to another room 3 feet away and close a window, i'd practically sprint there. then during the whole storm i'd make sure i was right by them.

you could make it easier, by distracting him with making cookies, doing a craft, etc. that's what my mom used to do. it worked for me.

good luck! :)

Answer 5

i was like that too. Tell him that it is only little specks called negative and positive playing with each other. Tell him tornados dont come cuz of thunderstorms and if thier was one we would know because they would tell it to us on the radio

Answer 6

I had the same fear.  My mother was no help.  We'd have to unplug all the tvs and there was a rule about not sitting near the windows.  I mean, it's no wonder I had a complex!  LOL  I finally got to a point in my teenage life that I was sick of being afraid, so I forced myself to watch a storm.  It was beautiful and amazing and still scary, but more of a control scare.  I wish I could help, but your son is just going to have to come out of this fear on his own.  I think it's very natural for kids to be scared.

One quick question, has he been in a tornado?  Maybe his fear stems from experience.