'Faid, mommy.

This is a phrase I have been hearing lots lately.

The past few weeks, Amor Chiquito has been learning about fear. “Afraid” is becoming one of the most popular words in her vocabulary. To make a long story short, she is afraid of essentially every animal, anything that moves. It is starting to keep her from enjoying some of her favorite activities, such as being outside in the neighbor’s playhouse. She hesitates to go in it because she remembers the time there was a bug in there.

Any thoughts or suggestions? This is a first for us and we are uncertain as to what the best way to handle it is.

Thus far, we calmly explain to her that bugs will not hurt her and that she is safe. We find ourselves repeating this many times in one day. What else can we say or do?

Is this just a phase? Will it be part of her personality? Is she going to be an anxious freak like me?! I certainly hope not!