Children & Chocolate and Other Paths to God

The 4-year-old woke up the other morning at 5am and crawled into bed with me because she had a bad dream. Hubby and I were too tired to protest the invasion, and despite my fears that she might be very obnoxious at this early hour (as she sometimes can be when we’re sleepy and she’s not), she actually curled up next to me and fell asleep.

Later that morning, when I asked her what she dreamed about, first she said “fire.” Yes, since our small house fire (almost a year ago now), she has probably heard me talk about fire a fair amount, so maybe that’s where it came from. But then I gathered from her there were monsters and other scary characters involved too, so I blame some of this on Walt Disney.

When it came time for bed last night, we did the usual routine - bath, books, bed. She was fine until I turned out the lights and tucked her in.

Her: I don’t want to go to sleep. I’m afraid I’m going to have more scary dreams.
Me: No you won’t sweetie. You’ll be fine.
Her: Yes, I will.
Me: Nope. Here’s your puppy and your elephant. They’ll keep the monsters away. Just close your eyes and relax. We have lots of fun things to do tomorrow and you need to sleep.

Pause. She closed her eyes for a minute, and quickly opened them again.

Her: Mommy! Da monsters are back!
Me: It’s okay, sweetie. Just close your eyes and think about puppies. Cute little white ones with spots.
Her: But I’m scared! What if da monsters are there when I close my eyes?
Me: You just have to picture something else. Trust me. Close your eyes and picture those puppies playing.

Reluctantly, she closed her eyes again, but only for a few seconds.

Her: The monsters are still there!
Me: Okay, maybe we need something bigger… how about we get Clifford to keep them away? Close your eyes and picture Clifford. Picture a great big Clifford standing guard and 101 dalmations forming a big circle around you. As soon as those monsters creep up, Clifford is going to bark and scare them away. You’re surrounded by all of those doggies who love you and will protect you while you sleep. See? You’re safe now…

And by now she snoring, hugging her puppy. (a beagle, of course…)