Why is my daughter scared?

Question

Hi I have a daughter and she is very mature 12 years old. She and her cousin were baby sitting for me my husband and friends. She watches the show America's most wanted and all of the sudden she and her cousin call us and say mom dad when are you coming home? We were gone getting desert and she couldnt wait. Now she's waking us up in the middle of the night saying she's scared! She say's she can't be left alone in the house, She doesnt want to babysit anymore, she cant do sleep over's at anyone's house anymore! She's that freaked out. She goes to spend the night at her cousin's house but when she get's there 10 minutes later we here she's got a stoumach ache. She come's home sits on the couch and starts to cry. She tells me she's tells me she cant live like this she wants to baby sit spend the night and not be afraid. She also says this is really stressing her out. She's not scared of the show she's scared what would happed to us when she's gone. What should we do with her?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Answer 1

give ur daughter advice and asure her itll be alright.

Answer 2

You have a child the has been traumatized by T.V.  It happens more often than people think.  All of these shows are not meant for children her age and definitely for children that are at home alone.  I would suggest that she see a counselor and talk about why this frightened her so much.  Twelve is much too young to be watching things about people that are out in the world hurting people and running loose after they do it.

Answer 3

She might have seen something that scared her. I would Really suggest trying to talk to her if she won't talk to you I would recommend talking to a counselor and seeing what they recommend, if they think you should bring her in or not. I don't want to sound pessimistic or scare you but maybe something happened to her, possibly raped or molested? I would really try to talk to a counselor.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

It's a pretty common fear in young kids.

I remember sitting up at night crying because I was scared.

Try talking to her, or if it is really bad then maybe take her to a counselor.

Answer 5

awww  <33333

relax... calm down, and take a deep breath.

you should definetely talk to her..

tell her that you want to go see a counselor/therapist to help her out with this issue.

so you guys can talk all three of you.

and then her and the therapist.

just keep comforting her and loving her.

and get the counseling........ itll help... alot. :D

Answer 6

she might have seen someone on that show that is around this area and maybe she has seen that person before and she is scared that the person might go after her or something. you should talk to her and if she doesn't tell you what she is scared of bring her to a counseler or therapist and i would never let her watch that show again.

Answer 7

She needs to see a counselor to help her get over her anxiety problem.

Answer 8

I agree with silver and starlight also a good idea is to role play and go thru a series of things that she can do in case something was to happen when your not home ...if you do this, this will build her confidence and give her something to hold on too so if something does happen (God Forbid) she would be able to jump right into what you taught her and be a hero ....!

As a last resort, maybe get her a temporary cell phone designed for kids like the Cingular Firefly? You can control who your daughter can call and vice versa, and dedicate certain buttons to reach you, or other adults she can trust.

Aside from the cost, one disadvantage is of course, she may end up calling you more than what's necessary. But it may help her to relax, knowing that if she wants to reach her mom all she has to do is push a button.

.

Answer 9

She really needs to see a counselor about her anxiety problem. It will help.

Answer 10

Obviously, your daughter saw something on the show that scared her, or she wouldn't be acting like this. You need to talk with her, in a gentle, patient way, and find out what it was that she saw or heard. I'm thinking that there must have been a segment about a family or a couple who were murder victims- and somehow, your daughter has gotten it into her head that the same thing could happen to you if she isn't with you all the time. Children her age are not always able to tell the difference between reality and fantasy, which is why parents need to explain situations like that to them.

It's also possible that something may have happened to your daughter while she was babysitting- she saw something, heard something, or was approached or touched in a way that isn't appropriate- and she's scared to let you know it because of her fear that something might happen to you or to her. You say that she's a mature girl for her age- but there are times when this is not always a good thing, because girls who mature early are at greater risk of sexual exploitation than their less developed peers. Is there any chance your daughter could have been abused in some way, either by her cousin, or by someone you know??  It can happen to anyone, even in the best of families- and your daughter is by no means immune.

I think you and your daughter need to have a heart to heart talk, and you need to try to get to the bottom of whatever is causing this. You also need to tell your daughter WHY shows like AMW are on the air- and it wouldn't hurt her to learn a little bit about the show's host, John Walsh, and his history. Walsh was one of the keynote speakers at a convention and meeting I attended last fall, and I have heard his entire story, from begining to end- and I know that the purpose for AMW is NOT to scare kids like your daughter. He and they are there to catch criminals,and they have been enormously successful in that. Apart from this, you also need to try to get your daughter to open up about what's really bothering her- because clearly, something is, or she wouldn't be acting this way. It may be that she needs to see a doctor and get some professional help as well- that's something I'd look into, especially if she continues to have symptoms like this.

Good luck, and I hope I have helped you.

Answer 11

I used to be terrified of that show! Talk to her and tell her that nothing is gonna happen to her. Tell her that its just a show, and they will catch the people. Block the show so she can't watch it.... and if none of that works take her to see a counselor.

xoxo Jadee♥.

Answer 12

When I was little I remember having the same problem.  The thing is, I was completely addicted to those shows that scared me, and would watch them.  I ended up generating (Generalized anxiety Disorder) and Panic disorder, which i still have years and years after.  Her mind right now is racing with unexplained irrational thoughts.  Its not her fault, its actually a symptom of panic disorder.  Once she goes to a friends house, she automatically starts thinking about these thoughts and how she doesn't want to think them anymore and it compeltely stresses a person out.  She should go see a therapist, and a doctor to rationalize her thoughts.  Tell her that it is a disorder, and that there is nothing wrong with her, it willhelp her calm down to know that there is a reason behind her fear.

Answer 13

First of all that show is not right for a 12 y/o. Turn the tv off and talk to her. Explain that bad things can happen, but those things she saw are not the average 12 y/o's problems. You may need to take her to a shrink to get rid of her fears. Stop letting her watch programs like that!!