The Secret of the Dark

Ok just had to share this… yesterday, on New Life Live, a caller called in with this idea called The Secret of the Dark that he came up with when his children were little and scared of the dark. This guy sat in his little boy’s room (I think he said his little guy was 3 or 4 at the time) at bedtime and pointed out a few large objects like his dresser, a chair, his bed, and said something like “See where your dresser is. Remember where your dresser is.” So he had his son remember where 2 or 3 large objects were and then he turned off the lights and it was pitch dark. They sat for a moment and then turned the lights back on. Then he asked his son if anything had moved. “Is the dresser where it was before we turned off the light?” Of course, yes. And then he said “Now you know what grown-ups know, The Secret of the Dark – nothing moves in the dark.”

I just thought that was simple yet profoundly illustrated. Plus, kids love secrets. They love to feel like they are in on something that others may not know. He even said when his daughter turned 3, he asked his son if they should let his sister in on the secret… too cute!

So yesterday on the drive home from daycare, I told Matthew to remind me that I had a secret to tell him at bedtime. Bedtime rolled around and Matthew had already reminded me several times that I was to tell him a secret. So at bedtime, Jimmie, Cali, Matthew and I all piled in to Matthew’s room. I pointed out Matthew’s dresser, a mirror, the other bed. I told Matthew to remember where they all were and then I turned out the lights. We all sat there for a moment and then I turned the light back on. I asked Matthew if anything had moved, he said no. I told him now he knew The Secret of the Dark – nothing moves in the dark. He still wanted his night light lol – can’t blame him – mommy also needs a night light. But this morning he told me “Mommy, nothing was moving in my room in the dark!”

Anyway thought I’d share that wonderful little lesson with you all in case you have kids who are afraid of the dark… and now you know… The Secret of the Dark!