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Shower scene

At 3:30 in the morning, K started SCREAMING. I raced to his bedside and scooped him up. Quick check: kid, bed, room all seemed fine. "Scary dream?" I asked. He nodded, burrowing his head into my neck as I hugged him tight. "It's okay," I murmured. "You're safe. Mommy's here." As I felt his breath slow, I reflected that this is what being a parent is all about.

Then I realized: Crap. This is my fault.

During bathtime, K turned on the shower, just a trickle. He thought it was funny that rain was coming down on his head. We talked about the shower and I showed him where the water comes out and told him that Mommy and Daddy take showers. I asked him if he wanted to try the shower. He said yes. "Water is going to come down from there," I said, pointing up. "Water is going to fall on your head. Are you ready?" "Yeah!" So I turned it on, not at full strength, but more than the trickle. He started freaking out as soon as he heard the loud noise, and when the water came down he practically jumped out of the tub. He cried until he was safely out of the bathroom and clung to me all the way upstairs (while I apologized profusely), letting go only when I attempted to moisturize him.

K wakes up at 5 a.m. ready to play on a regular basis. But he's never woken up at 3 a.m. terrified before. I am 80% sure I traumatized my kid.

I made up for it this morning by showing him how much JW was enjoying getting clean in the shower. Hopefully no more hygiene-related night terrors.

Full post as published by Magic Cookie on December 11, 2008 (boomark / email).