Scared of everything!

Claire's personality has always been independent and strong and she was never afraid of things. Then a week or so ago we took a walk outside and a dog started barking and ran up the fence by where we were walking. Claire freaked out and was so scared, I calmed her down and thought everything was ok. Since then she is petrified of the vacuum, some loud toys, taking a bath, dogs barking, even her shadow on the wall (literally). She just cries in real fear.

Can this be normal? What can I do besides try to console her and distract her?

Re: Scared of everything!

I think it is normal - at least I hope because my son has some similar fears. He had this on experience that frightened him in December and then for like a week or 2 everything frightened him. Everything made him cry. I mean I fed him a cracker and he cried all scared of it (my son loves food). He was scared of some of his normal toys, etc.

Now he is mostly only scared of loud noises - vacuum cleaner being the worst (and my cleaning lady - I think he associates her with the mean vacuum). Also some power tools that make noise, hand mixer, chopper, etc. But his fear of them is bad - he clings to me.

Re: Scared of everything!

my son gets spooked easily too. last night he was playing in his exersaucer and dh sneezed and he started crying. I notice he does usually when he is tired or so fixated on a toy that he forgets where he is.

Honestly I get spooked very easily when I am very tired. I get very jittery. I would ot worry too much

Re: Scared of everything!

She is probably very spooked and got scared. Maybe talk to her about what happened and let her know that you are right there and nothing will happen to her. Tell her before you do something loud such as vacumn.

Re: Scared of everything!

Thanks, at least I know Im not alone. Hopefully she will grow out of this soon