We are in the process of moving house to be closer to the Steiner community in Forest Row. Narina is starting kindergarten in the fall. I know that moving is a huge stress on everyone. I have moved so many times in my life that it is strange for it to be *this* stressful. However Dan has been away, Esben is teething non-stop and Narina has discovered fear.
A couple of days ago a fighter jet flew very low and close to our house while Narina was playing by herself outside. She came into the house screaming and hysterical. It frightened her beyond words. The next day or so we had a hail storm with loud thunder. Again, hysterical. I am not used to seeing her so upset and of course neither is Esben who would promptly start screaming as a reaction to hers. Now Narina won't leave my side. Not to get her shoes from the front hall, not when I leave the room to go to the toilet. Every little sound she asks if it is thunder. Tonight, while putting the kids to bed she was beside herself. I tried putting Esben to sleep first while she cried in her room screaming my name. I couldn't get one to sleep with the other crying. Finally I calmed Narina down enough to feed Esben and by the time I was done she was asleep as well.
I came downstairs to our half empty house and had a good cry on my own. How does a parent ease the fear of something like thunder or loud noises? I have told her fun stories about thunder and hail. I have explained how cool those jets are because of all the fancy tricks they can do. It doesn't matter. She asks repeatedly if today it is going to have a jet or thunder. By repeatedly I mean I answered it at least 200 times today. I feel like her reaction is heightened from the massive amounts of transition and disruption going on here. I have been trying so hard to keep life as normal as possible but how can it be? I am packing up a house on my own as her father comes home for a couple days a week over the past month. It is breaking my heart to see her afraid. Dan suggested Rescue Remedy which I will try in the night when she wakes up. If anyone has gone through something similar, please share ideas on ways to create peace for a child during a time of high transition.
