Is it right to tell young children that monsters don't exist?
By PlantBuddy
@PlantBuddy (183)
Canada
December 27, 2008 7:23pm CST
Are parents trying too hard to protect their kids by telling them that there is no such thing as monsters? After all, the world is both bad and good. There are a lot of bad people who prey on kids. Parents can't always be there to protect their children from the bad guys. So, why wrap young children in cottonwool pretending everything is rosy? What's the best way to warn young children about the monsters who could do them some harm? How do you prepare kids without scaring them?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
2 Jan 09
I really dont know, my daughter recently went through a bad time of nightmares and not wanting to sleep in her room because of dinosaurs and monsters. My hubby and I have had to tell her that daddy threw them on the tip (rubbish tip that is) so that she would believe they were no longer in the house.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
29 Dec 08
Tell them that there are very evil people who hates children and want to take them away and make them do very hard work for them and beat them up and feed them bread and water all the time and these bad people tries to lure children away by asking them to help them look for their puppy. If a bad person tries to lure your children, your child or children should go to you or someone you trust or a police officer. Tell that if a good person sees them alone, she will ask to see their parents or another grown up who lives on the street.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
17 Jul 09
I have heard of too many children lured by a monster who wanted them to look for his dog, or because their parents said "no candy," whenever that same human monster offered them an ice cream bar, they went with him. Then there was the friend of the family. Too many children have been killed by these monsters because not all monsters look like Frankenstein's monster. Some look like that nice man down the block.
@PlantBuddy (183)
• Canada
29 Dec 08
Hi Suspenseful,
Rules like you mention will help kids. This way they will know in advance what to do when confronted with a questionable type of person. They will have an idea of the differences between the way a bad person acts and a genuine good person.
1 person likes this
@coolcat123 (4387)
• India
28 Dec 08
Saying them lies is not right as they will never be prepared for anything .So better tell them what else is possible on this earth.
To keep them in dark will lead them in certain problems.You have to say them that monsters do not exist rather something like that exists.
@PlantBuddy (183)
• Canada
28 Dec 08
Hi Coolcat123,
I agree with you that lies and keeping kids in the dark will not help to prepare them for life. Teaching them how to deal with situations that scare them will give them confidence.
@arcidy (5005)
• United States
28 Dec 08
off course it is since the only monsters kids think off are fictional monsters ones that dont exist. Even though you want your kids to be safe and you still have to tell them about all the bad people in this world but I wouldnt call them monsters you dont want them to stay awake at night time worring all the time.
@PlantBuddy (183)
• Canada
28 Dec 08
Hi arcidy,
No, we don't want our kids to be scared and worried. We want to empower them to stand up to the bullies, to have confidence in themselves. Remember the old children's stories like "The Big Bad Wolf and Red Riding Hood"? Those old stories had good lessons for children while entertaining them--letting them know about the bad old wolf eating grandma. Now that's pretty graphic, but the story served a purpose. What do you think?
@chameleonsdream (1230)
• United States
29 Dec 08
But there were other important lessons in Little Red Riding Hood - Red broke a rule, and someone got hurt, but there was also someone to whom she could turn for help. Many of the old fairy tales are morality tales - there are dire consequences for those who break the rules, but there's nearly always a way for the main character to be saved or redeemed.
@celticeagle (167024)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Dec 08
I think children should be told the truth in accordance with their age. Monsters as in mythical creatures perhaps shouldn't be presented to young children. But, as far as perverts and the like I think that it is only fair that children are aware that these 'monsters' are real. Why shouldn't they have a right to know. If told correctly and it is age appropriate I see no probably with it.
@PlantBuddy (183)
• Canada
31 Dec 08
Hi Celticagle,
Yes, the age of the child is important when trying to explain to children that there are real monsters lurking around. Kids have a right to know. I think story telling is a way to make them more aware of the different kinds of people out there.
@kg4bah (78)
• United States
28 Dec 08
I know what you mean, people raise their children thinking that everything is "I love you and you love me," but we all know that this is not true. When saying "monsters" you should teach them that there are no "monsters" with big old sharp teeth, but teach them that there are people out there that will do harm. If you teach your child that not everyone is nice, then they may be less likely to go off with a stranger because they will be thinking the stranger is bad. If you don't teach your children the bad things about the world, then they may go off with a stranger thinking they are good people. Many people may say different, but that's my belief and nothing will change it.
~Melanie
@PlantBuddy (183)
• Canada
28 Dec 08
Hi kg4bah,
Yah, these days the pretend monsters always look silly and some of them look really funny and not monster-like at all. Remember how Frankenstein looked and Dracula? Both of those guys looked scary to me. But these days, the real bad guys often look nice and friendly and can fool kids. I think you're right to teach kids that there are good people and bad ones around.
@kg4bah (78)
• United States
28 Dec 08
I remember how Frankenstein and Dracula looked back then. :-) I'm glad you agree with me. There's some people out there who hide everything from their children, including the real world. Sigh, I am very protective of my kids and that is why I choose to let them know these things do exist.
:-)
~Melanie
@gjabaigar (2200)
• Philippines
28 Dec 08
Teach them how to focus themselves in creativity and having self-confidence.....
