My 7 year old is suddenly afraid of thunderstorms, what should I do?

Question

We've tried explaining that thunder is not dangerous and explained how to be safe in a storm with lightning. He just gets so nervous and wants to check the weather on the computer all the time.

Answer 1

just teach him to not be a baby! well not really and get him off the computer. I know an 11 year old but he'll stop quick.

Answer 2

I tell my kids the dragons are here ..the thunder is the footsteps and the lightning is the fire...They come to eat the British kids. And love the Irish children and protect them

Answer 3

Don't worry just get him entertained into something like playing computer games and switch the music or tv on so he can't hear the thunder and if you keep doing this eventually he'll forget about the thunder because he wouldn't hear it. I was also once afraid of thunder, but when my parents did this to me I forgot about the thunder storms.

Answer 4

I am 31 and severe storms scare me .lol.

It is perfectly normal for you're little boy to be afraid of storms

The best thing you can do is to STOP trying to convince him that it is is nothing to be  afraid of  , honestly that can add to his anxiety because you are trying to convince him that what he is feeling is not legitimate . If it is legitimate to him then it is legitimate . The best you can do is to distract him and comfort him during a storm .I would not allow him to check the weather however dont feed his need but just be there for him.

Answer 5

its probably a phase and will pass, my little cousin was the same way.

Answer 6

Just keep telling him it's no big deal and that it's only noise.  Cuddle on the couch or in your bed (when I was little I loved watching movies with my mom in her bed) and pop in his favorite movie or TV show.  Or, turn on the music and have a little dance party.  You could get a craft for him to do or bake cookies or something if you have the ingredients.  Just do anything you can to keep him occupied and not thinking about the storm.  It could be serious bonding time between the two of you.  You could even go through some pictures or old photo albums.  Or you could get old magazines and newspapers and make mini collages (on regular 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper) of things he likes.  If he gets scared, talk to him really relaxed and soothingly and assure him that it's going to be alright.

Good Luck!!

Answer 7

tell him that thunder is God's way of making us hear him. If you explain that sound cannot hurt us, it may help. All kids are frightened of thunder, it cracks loud and boom! What kid isn't afraid of that kind of noise? Take him outside when it is raining, show him that the thunder isn't going to hurt him. Also, explain that the bolt lightning is the thing to beware of. Sheet lightning also won't hurt him. Try to teach him as opposed to worry that he is frightened. He's only 7, just a very young boy. This will pass as all childhood things do.

Answer 8

To a 7 year old (and lot's of adults too), thunder storms are loud, dangerous and scary.  There is nothing he can do to stop or control this scary thing so he's obsessing over it.

When we are expecting "thunder boomers" I tell the kids and make light of it.  Sometimes we shout things like "go away you noisy boomers, we want to turn the tv on!"  I always remind them that although it can be loud it will pass us by quickly and we are safe.  When I think it's passing, we count the time between the flash and the sound so I can point out how it's getting farther away.  At night we turn the lights on because sometimes the lightning seems creepier than the thunder.

Always let your son sit near you and it doesn't hurt to coddle him a little as if were younger than he is, I think it'll help him feel safe.  Good luck - it will pass.

Answer 9

I suffered from this as a child from about 7 years of age to 12 years.

Shut the doors, windows, and turn up the music - you want to create a 'sound party' - joke about it, dance around, and say you are going to see if you can make more noise than the storm.  Other than that, make sure there is room for both of you to hide under the bed - that is what I wanted.