BEDTIME FOR TWO, WITH A LITTLE MONSTER CALLED BOO…
When I was little, I was afraid of the dark. I was afraid of what I couldn’t see. I still dislike the dark when I’m alone – if I go to a conference and I’m in a hotel room, I sleep with the lights on. Only when my husband is there can I bear to close my eyes to the inky blackness – and still I’m a little wary. Whilst we’re getting it all out there, I also keep the back of my head covered with my blanket and my toes tucked in. I’m 39.
I don’t know how it starts, or when or why it starts, but sooner or later every little one I’ve known has had some worry or fear at night time…and those fears grow. The little monsters get bigger, hairier and have more teeth – whilst we all get less sleep.
Since Jensen was born in 2010, my friends and I have all invested in various sleep aids, soothers, toys with glowing bellies – all suitable for babies. We can’t buy them fast enough – but our babies have spent nine months in darkness, and yet still we rush to protect them from it as soon as they are into the light.
When Jensen reached an age where he could verbalise his fears, and tell me he didn’t like the dark, there seemed to be nothing out there that could put his mind at ease – and a nightlight wasn’t cutting it.
Like most parents, we reassured him that the shadows were just that, and that his nightmares were just dreams, but nothing worked and night after night he would wake, crying for one of us to soothe him back to sleep. Now Lyoto joins in, too.
Completely out of ideas, a few months ago we heard of a Kickstarter called Glow Away and we got very excited.
Instead of doing the usual parent thing – “it’s just in your imagination, sweetheart….go to sleep now”, which obviously [in retrospect] is making your child feel as though they are not only wrong, but also alone and unheard, instead of soothed and reassured, Glow Away embrace the idea of monsters in the night.
Glow Away have bought to life a cuddly little cutie of their own, called Boo. Boo launches a double pronged attack on the monsters with every package that is received by night-frightened little ones everywhere.
Firstly, inside the package is a storybook, featuring Boo.
Of course, every parent worth their Amazon salt will know that there are SO many books on the market written to allay children’s fears of the dark – although not as sweet as this one. So why does this one purport to work? Because it doesn’t stand alone.
Glow Away has a secret weapon up its pyjama sleeve. With every storybook is a pink or blue duvet cover and pillowcase featuring Boo the little monster. We won’t spoil how it protects and reassures your little one just yet – but it’s magical!
If you have little ones who want the house to be illuminated 24/7, stay tuned for our diaries this week to see if we can end our boys’ fear of the dark with the help of Boo, the Glow Away monster….
If you can’t wait, head over to their Kickstarter page where everything is explained – and where you can become a supporter of their business to help banish the bedtime monsters for good!
What a fab idea! My youngest went through a phase of being scared at bedtime and this would have helped him no end!x
That is a great idea. I need it to be dark to sleep, so my boys never had nightlights until they expressed a fear of the dark. I think that it is a developmental stage, one where they understand and develop their imaginations. I never dismissed their fear and bought them nightlights instead
Intriguing. My son likes to have the light on to go to sleep and I turn it off later. He can turn it back on from his bed if he wants to.
I need it to be dark as well. I am scared to fall asleep . this is a great idea
i always like it to be dark for bedtime, i always ensured a night light for my lot
What a great idea. My kids like the light on at night but I recently switched it to a lamp so its darker as trying to get them to sleep with lights off x
Hey Angela! If you decide to try Glow Away remember that we offer a hassle free return policy, so you have nothing to worry. You can order it directly from our website 🙂
Great idea. Thankfully none of my kids were worried about the dark so I count myself lucky after reading your Post.
We've always used a nightlight as it's extra dark where I live (no street lights) and I don't like total darkness. However my boys don't mind the dark at all!
This sounds like a great product – I really hope that it helps you all. I think you're right not to dismiss a child's fears. When my younger sister used to have nightmares and be scared to go to sleep my Mum used to sprinkle talc around the room and say that it would keep the monsters away – it really helped!
I remember that I too was afraid of the dark as a little girl. My parents allowed me to sleep with this super bright lamp by my bedside. Now, I've completely grown out of that phase and I need to sleep in complete darkness and silence. Ha! Funny how things change 🙂
Wow, this is such a great product. Thankfully my boys haven't realized that the dark can be scary–yet–but I am so glad I know about this for when it happens. Oh, and don't be afraid to use a night light or a cute and brave doggy to keep you safe when your hubby is out. 🙂
Amanda
http://www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com
What a great idea! Will check out their page now xx
Hey Michelle! Thank you so much for your kind words. If you decide to try Glow Away remember that we offer a hassle free return policy, so you have nothing to worry. You can order it directly from our website 🙂
Aw I love the idea of this – I'm also not good with the dark when I'm on my own so maybe I should buy it for myself!! This sounds adorable!
Hey darling, we guarantee you that you'll love it and if you don't, simply return it to us 🙂
This is a great idea! My autistic son who is now 9 sleeps with his bedroom light on! I don't know how he does it. I cannot sleep in complete darkness though. I always have the landing light on.
Lucie x
This sounds like such an adorable way to help little ones overcome their fear of the dark! My son slept with me from age 3 until 6. He's 9 and still sleeps with me at times, so I know how hard it is to get kids to sleep alone when they're just plain scared. I was afraid of the dark until I was in my 20s. I actually hid with my head under the blanket! Now, I can't sleep with light. It took me a long time to get past that fear though.
Hey Nikki! That's actually one of the reasons that inspired us to create Glow Away. My sister kept complaining about her kid always sneaking into her bed. Give Glow Away a go if you want to solve this problem once and for all 🙂
I am very thankful my kids have not been terrified of the dark. I think they use the dark more of a bedtime delay tactic. This sounds like a great product for any little one scared of the dark.
seriously…what a cute product!!! I love little stories that help children like this! I'll definitely be checking this out for my son!!! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Lauren, thank you so much! We are glad you love it as much as we do! If you decide to try Glow Away remember that we offer a hassle free return policy, so you have nothing to worry. You can order it directly from our website 🙂
These are very cute, my kids would love this cute stuff. This is very glad to have this and it's gonna be so much fun everynight before go to sleep.
Hey Terri, why don't you oder one for them then? With our hassle free return policy you have nothing to worry. You can order it directly from our website 🙂
Aw what a cute idea and Boo is just so cute x
what a really well thought out concept 🙂 .. i love the character boo! .. super cute!
This is a very cute idea and would well for my family My two boys are afraid to go to sleep due to monsters 🙂 I personally need it to be dark 🙂 Thanks for the idea!
Hey Cindy! Thank you so much for your comment! You can buy a 2 pack from Kickstarter or directly from our website. Let us know if you need help ordering 🙂
Thankfully I've never had to deal with this from any of my three but I know that it is a common issue.
This is such a cute idea. My four year old twin are struggling with the dark at the moment so maybe something I should look into!
Cute idea. Don't worry about your own fear. At least you have your way of dealing with it. it's good that your actively looking at ways to ensure our LO doesn't grow up with the same fear though.
This is just so awesome and really needed. My daughter is scared of the dark and often have nightmares about monsters. I've found that minimizing tv helps but this is such a cool little idea that I may have to look into it.
Hey Adanna, glad you love it! You can order a Glow Away directly from our website. We offer a hassle free return policy! Looking forward to welcoming you to our magical club!
What a wonderful idea, my six year old is scared of the dark atm
This sounds like a wonderful idea, we used to rely on night light that shone moons and stars on the ceiling.
A great idea, I used to be terrified of the dark..in fact it's only the last few years that I now hate light disturbing my sleep. I still have a wobble every now and then…luckily my children don't seem to have the same scary nightmares and fright of the dark as I did.
What a fab idea, Luckily my little boy isnt phased by the dark but I can see how Boo would be really helpful! x
my daughter always says there is a owl in her room rather strange and my eldest would do anything ot not got to bed!
Fantastic idea! I am new to your website- stopping by from Awesome Blogger on FB. Your blog is adorable and your photography is amazing! I will be stopping by again and also am proud to nominate you for the BiB Photography Award. 😉
What a great idea; I will have to look into it closer as we have a lot of problems with sleeping in the dark 🙁
A very clever idea. Mine need their nightlights
what a sweet idea, Wilf has a nightlight although he's not so far expressed a fear of the dark at all. Hope it stays that way! x