How should I go about helping my son get over his fear of water???

My son is almost 2 and has suddenly become afraid of the water. Up to about 2 months ago he loved his baths and didn't have any problems going in the water at the pool or the beach. Now all of the sudden he screams the place down when he gets anywhere near any water, even running a tap freaks him out. What should I do to overcome this problem???

2007-12-31T21:07:17Z

I have already tried using bath toys, but this has not worked. Also getting in the bath with him has done nothing.

The only thing I can think of that could have cause this sudden fear is that he spent the weekend at his grandparents house and has been scared ever since. I have asked them if anything happened, but they said that when they went to bath him he just started crying. Could it be that something else happened that they are not telling me about???

Kim M2007-12-31T15:36:22Z

Favorite Answer

my son was terrified of the water for a while. I actually just got changed into a bathing suit with him and fill up the tub. I had him help me with the tub. took in some water toys and played with him in the tub. then when he got used to just playing i put a little shampoo in his hair and used a little water gun to spray it out. then i left him do it to me. he had so much fun eventually i got him to be able to play with his toys in the tub by himself.

Clays mom2008-01-01T01:06:15Z

Something he has seen recentl scared him? Try putting water in a glass so he can see it and let him touch it. then next day try putting water in a sink then let him play in it. next day try a little bit of water in the tub with bubbles maybe so he cant visually see the water let him play in it with his clothes on then the next day try clothes off then next day leave out bubbles. Is it the sound of the water running or the acutall water that scares him

t2007-12-31T23:30:03Z

whenever you have water activities, be with him, do it with him and let him see you do it first. - question for you... is he in daycare? is there something that may have happened to him while you were not around? - i hate that thought, but it's a possibility.

♥ElizabethAnne♥2007-12-31T23:27:29Z

I would show him how fun it is to be in the water. I am a lifeguard and I have a class of children (with other lifeguards helping me out) that are 2, 3, and 4. I just hold them, and tell them that nothing is going to hurt them. We show them how much fun the water can be. How about getting fun bath toys that can only be used in water, and try that. If you make it fun and exciting for them it can be really easier for them to get used to it. Usually kids go through this stage in life, and it's very simple to solves sometimes! Hope I helped you!♥

youhoo it's me2007-12-31T23:27:02Z

get a bucket and fill it with warm water and set him in the middle of the kitchen floor with some toys get down with him and splash and play coax him into it after a few days move onto the kitchen sink with water already in it then gradually let him turn the water on and off and slowly move to the tub just make it fun and relaxing

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