ISU Bengal

Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: Life

Annie,

I want to ask a question but I'm afraid there's some way you/ my friends/ my family/ my employers/ the government/ employees of psychic help lines will find out who I am.

-Want to remain anonymous



Dear Anonymous,

I don't understand why you're so afraid of people knowing that you asked me for advice, but there's in nothing wrong with wanting to be anonymous. If you submit your question in an email of course I will know what your email address is, but my knowing that you are "skbyt475@epd.com" doesn't tell me a whole lot. And even if by some chance I know who you are I will hold your identity in confidence. About everyone else finding out whom you are… just be discrete in your question asking and I doubt you'll be discovered.

-Annie



Dear Annie,

My two-year-old is terrified of loud noises: thunder and lightening, sirens, and even the loud windy nights we've been having. She cowers in my arms. I can't put her down, and while I'm holding her I can't get anything done. My house is a mess and my home work's been piling up. Either we need a serious change in the weather forecast or I need to figure out some other solution. What should I do?



Dear weather worries,

Hold her, rock her, sing to her, and talk in soothing tones. If you start getting frustrated she'll only become more agitated. You can try to distract her, make her forget about the "scary noises." Play music to drown out the sound of the wind. Read storybooks or get her involved with a toy or a game. Frequently reassure her and act calm yourself. Don't try to rush her off to bed so you can get other things done. Take the time to help her feel better, and she will go to sleep easier and will awaken less.

NO shivering under the sheets with flashlights, reaffirming her fears will only cause them to last longer. Talk to her about the storm, and make it seem less scary and unknown. Children usually outgrow their fears in a few years but need to have them taken seriously in the meantime.

March is known for being extra windy, so I don't know how long the windy nights will last, but if you remain calm and continue to reassure her, your daughter will feel better and so will you.

-Annie



Please send all questions to isuaskannie@gmail.com

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