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Night Terrors: A Parent’s Guide to the Unexplained
Before our daughter experienced her first night terror, I was blissfully unaware of their existence. Sure, I had a vague notion that they were similar to nightmares, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The distinction is as stark as comparing a goldfish to a great white shark—both are fish, but one will have you sleeping with the lights on!
Our girl was 5 and had been tucked in, dreaming away, when we were jolted awake by her panicked screams echoing through the house: “Mommy! Mooommmy!” Naturally, I assumed it was just another nightmare and rushed to her side. What I found, however, was far more alarming. She was sitting upright in bed, tears streaming down her face and cries piercing the night. I tried my typical soothing techniques—gentle words, a soft touch—but this was no ordinary episode. Her eyes were wide open, yet she was somewhere else entirely, caught in a whirlwind of fear.
My husband joined me, and we thought maybe turning the light on would help. But imagine the horror of witnessing your child in a state of sheer terror, staring right through you, screaming for help while being completely unaware of your presence. I attempted to make eye contact, hoping to bring her back to reality, but it was like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands—nothing worked.
As panic set in, I found myself questioning everything. If I believed in demonic possession, I might have been calling a priest for an exorcism. In an earlier time, our little girl might have faced some serious accusations! Eventually, the storm passed, and she drifted back to sleep, completely oblivious to the chaos that had just unfolded.
The next day, I confided in a friend, who casually mentioned that it sounded like a night terror. Her sons had experienced them too, with one even having one while camping, prompting her to hold him in the car as he screamed “Mommy! Mommy!” over and over. This revelation opened the floodgates; I learned that night terrors were more common than I realized. Seriously, how come nobody warns you about these things? Right up there with round ligament pain and postpartum surprises!
Now, while we can only hope your child never has to experience such a thing, at least you’ll know what it is if it happens. And rest assured, there’s no need to summon an exorcist. To learn more about the ins and outs of pregnancy and to stay informed, check out this excellent resource.
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Summary:
Night terrors are a bewildering reality for some parents, often mistaken for nightmares until experienced firsthand. These episodes can leave both children and parents feeling frightened and helpless, but understanding what they are can ease the fear. Hopefully, your child will never face this phenomenon, but if they do, you’ll be prepared, and there’s no need to call for an exorcist.