On this week’s Parenting segment, a parent wants to know how to help their son cope with fireworks as Halloween approaches.
“[Fireworks and bangers] are absolutely terrifying my 6-and-a-half-year-old little boy,” they told Moncrieff.
“The terror started last year and seemed to have stemmed from a visit from the community garda to his Senior Infant classroom.
“The Garda was telling them about the dangers of fireworks and ever since then, my boy has been terrified beyond belief.”
No matter the distance of the fireworks, the 6-year-old is terrified, according to the parent.
“We are now in the position that he has stopped going out to play with his friends, with him opting to stay indoors in case he hears one,” they said.
Fear of loud noises
Child psychotherapist Joanna Fortune said children should learn about the dangers of fireworks, but it’s also understandable to be afraid of them.
“Loud noises are often the very first fear that children develop,” she said.
“Largely it’s a protective factor - when you hear loud noise, you should react to it and be primed to respond.”
Joanna suggested the parent always remind their son he is safe when he hears fireworks in the distance.
“Acknowledge it for him and ask him to tell you the story of what happens in your body when you hear that noise,” she said.
“It'll help you understand what part of this is most frightening for him.”
Fireworks. Image: Jim Zuckerman / Alamy Stock PhotoJoanna also recommended noise cancelling or minimising headphones – but also suggested the son could learn more about fireworks to lessen his fears.
“If you think that would be interesting to him, appeal to that curiosity,” she said.
She said some people will just never like fireworks, but the parent should ensure their son doesn’t have lasting negative feelings about Halloween.
“Try to make Halloween a bigger in-the-house experience than out-of-the-house,” she said.
“That might be a nice movie, some snacks, cuddled up on the couch - just stay indoors and mind him through it.”
