Alright now, let’s talk about something every parent knows is scarier than a tax audit or a flat tire on the interstate. It’s the middle-of-the-night panic call from your little one’s room, the trembling voice that whispers, “Daddy, there’s a monster under my bed!”
My own child, went through a phase like that around age five. He’d swear up and down he heard scrabbling noises coming from beneath his bedspread. I’d get down on my hands and knees in that dim room, flashlight beam cutting through the dust bunnies, and find… well, maybe one too many socks and a wayward teddy bear, but no gremlins. Yet to him, they were real as the nose on his face.
This is where we can get it wrong, you see. We can either laugh it off with “Oh, silly goose!” which dismisses their genuine terror, or we can indulge in a full-blown monster hunt, which validates their fear and gives it power. As Catholics, we have a different, better path. It’s one rooted not in psychology textbooks, but in the timeless truth of our faith.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves and talk about how to face down the fears that haunt your child’s imagination, using the armor God gave us: prayer, reassurance, and trust.
Why Fears Are Actually a Good Thing
First off, don’t be too quick to squash every little fear. As St. Thomas Aquinas might remind us about everything from an angelic perspective, even a seemingly negative thing can have a purpose. Childhood fears are like the fire alarm in your house.
They’re not a sign of weakness; they’re a sign that your kiddo’s moral and spiritual compass is working. A fear of the dark tells them their world has edges. Fear of being alone teaches them about connection. Fear of heights keeps them from climbing off the roof (usually). These feelings are signals. They’re not problems to be solved with a hammer, but invitations to teach.
Your job isn’t to erase the fears, but to become the wise guide who helps your child navigate them safely.
The Trifecta of Fear-Busting: Prayer, Presence, and Providence
So how do we do that? I like to think of it as a three-legged stool. If one leg is wobbly, the whole thing comes tumbling down.
1. The Power of a Simple Prayer (The Divine Backup Plan)
When my child was hiding under his covers, my first move wasn’t to grab the broom or promise him a cookie. My first move was prayer. It’s a tool that never fails.
You don’t need fancy words from the breviary. A simple, heartfelt prayer with your child is like giving them a direct line to the strongest protector in the universe.
Try this: When they’re scared, kneel down beside their bed (you’re not too big to do that). Take their hand and say something like:
> “Okay, champ, let’s tell God about this. ‘Heavenly Father, I’m feeling a little scared right now. I needs your protection and love. Please send your angels to watch over me tonight. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.'”
Why it works: This does two magical things. First, it teaches them that God isn’t some distant, angry judge; He’s their Father. Second, it shifts the focus from the monster under the bed to the mighty army of angels guarding them. You’ve just armed your child with a weapon no boogeyman can stand against.
2. The Calming Presence (You Are Their Anchor)
Kids need to know that in the storm, you are the rock. When my grandson was afraid of thunderstorms, I’d sit on his bedroom floor during a bad one and just… be there. I didn’t talk much. Sometimes we’d count the seconds between the lightning and thunder. Other times, we’d just listen to the rain.
Your presence is a physical reminder that they are not alone. You’re living proof of God’s love in their home.
Actionable Tip: When fear strikes, pause your phone, stop folding the laundry, and go to them. Put a hand on their shoulder. Look them in the eye and say, with calm certainty, “I’m right here. You are safe.” That simple phrase – “You are safe” – is one of the most powerful healing balms you can offer.
3. Trusting in Divine Providence (The Grand Plan)
This is where we really lean into our Catholic identity. We have to trust that God has a plan, even when it involves monsters and thunderstorms. When your child fears something bigger – like starting school, getting an injection at the doctor, or losing a friend – this is your moment.
You can use a simple story. “Remember Noah’s Ark? God told him to build this giant boat because He was going to send a flood. Did Noah get scared? Maybe! But he trusted God’s plan. And you know what happened? God kept His promise and saved them all.”
Relate their fear to a biblical one. Fear of being left out? Think of Moses standing before the Red Sea. Fear of not being good enough? David facing Goliath.
This teaches resilience and hope. It shows them that even when things look impossible, there is always a way forward with God leading us.
The “Fear-Fighter” Toolkit: Practical Strategies
Sometimes you need more than just talk. Here are some tools to have in your back pocket.
Create a “Peace Corner.” Dedicate a small space in their room – maybe a cozy armchair with a special blanket – for when they feel scared. This is where they can go to pray, snuggle up with their favorite saint medal (St. Michael the Archangel is a great choice for this!), and just breathe.
Master the “What If” Game. Fear feeds on the unknown. So, name it and tame it! Ask your child, “Okay, let’s pretend that monster is real. What does he look like? Is he strong or silly? Can we think of a funny nickname for him?” Turning a terrifying creature into something silly (“Sir Fluffenbutt the Fearful”) is like pulling its fangs out.
The Nightly Guardian Ritual. Before bed, have them pick one saint to be their guardian angel that night. “Tonight, St. Thérèse of Lisieux will be watching over my dreams.” You can even print a picture and tape it near their door. This gives them a concrete, holy friend to call on.
Use Symbolism. Give them a small crucifix for under their pillow or a rosary to hold when they’re scared. It’s not magic; it’s a physical connection to our faith that can be incredibly comforting.
When to Seek More Help
Now, a good hardware man knows his limits. If your child’s fears are so severe they’re refusing school, causing extreme anxiety, or leading to physical symptoms like constant stomach aches, it might be time to call in another specialist.
There’s no shame in seeking help from a therapist who understands Catholic values. In fact, that’s just being wise. A good counselor can give you the extra tools you need to help your family heal together.
Uplifting Call to Action
Raising kids is God’s way of keeping us humble. Those fears they face at night are a reflection of our own anxieties during the day – anxiety about their future, their health, our place in this world.
But here’s the good news: every time we kneel beside their bed and pray, we’re not just soothing a child. We’re reinforcing our own trust in God’s providence. We are reminding ourselves that no matter what monsters lurk in the darkness of life, we have an army of angels on our side.
So next time you hear that whisper from down the hall, don’t see it as an interruption to your evening. See it for what it is: a sacred opportunity. Take a deep breath. Go be their anchor. Pray with them. Remind them that in the end, love always wins. And isn’t that the greatest truth we can ever share?