Bring the Thunder

Upon graduating to the Pony Room, Isaac met a little girl that is DEATHLY afraid of thunder.  It is so bad that when it is thundering they put her in a corner of the room with no windows and play her soothing music.  And Isaac, being the sensitive kid that he is, saw this is felt bad for her.  He talked to her and undoubtedly picked up a bit of her fear of thunder.

Last night we had a small thunderstorm and when the first boom, he became a little anxious.  After the second and third he was downright "nurvus" (thanks Nanna).  I decided then and there not to let him be afraid, so we went outside (it had not started raining yet) and we talked about thunder.  I told him it was caused by lightning and that thunder is just a sound and can never hurt him.  I told him lightning could hurt him, but if he paid attention and did what Mom and Dad said, he would be fine.  I also explained to him that the house would protect him.  We also talked about how thunder happens and the relationship between thunder and lightning.  

He was still a little nurvus so I gave him hugs every time there are a big clap or rumble.  Then we talked some more and something clicked in his small, high powered brain.  He was no longer afraid of the thunder but was interested in hearing it again.  By the end of the storm he had raised his tiny fist into the air and shouted "Don't mess with us!" which is the refrain he and I use to tell bugs and things to back off.  

Nothing makes you feel more like a dad than explaining things to kids and helping them not be afraid.  This world is a big scary place, and I can't tell you how many questions I asked my Dad for that very reason.  His answers always provided me with solace.  The unknown is always scary, but the well-known hardly ever is.