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My child is suddenly afraid of men.

My 2.5 year old has been socially adept all her life. Until now. Starting a couple days ago, the site of men she knows makes her burst into tears. It's the look she gets when she's confronted with a dog that scares her.
She seems to be extra triggered by big men with beards.
I'm not particularly worried- I know she'll grow out of it. But I am wondering if this is typical and age appropriate. Also, if someone has an explanation for why this would be happening, I'd love to hear it.

Carmen asked in Other Family & Kids about 1 year ago | Report

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3 Answers

  • Dscn0421_small
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    Sphinx

    Likely, you and virginia mason are right- kids definitely go through phases, sometimes pretty weird ones- but I do want to just throw out that you should be cautious and pay close attention to major changes in your daughter's behavior. Little children don't have the linguistic ability to articulate everything that's going on in their worlds, and that problem becomes bigger if there's something going on that they don't understand, so often they will show us that something is wrong by acting differently. As uncomfortable and upsetting as it is to consider that someone might be hurting your daughter, it is your job as her mom to be paying close attention to her and making sure she's okay. If you notice her having more behavioral issues- like having "accidents", not sleeping well, throwing tantrums when she used to be happy as a clam, or anything else that just doesn't seem right, I wouldn't ignore it.

    I really don't like to be the one that has to mention the above possibility- it's horrific and gut-churning, and it's quite unlikely, but the possibility that your child is hurting and doesn't know how to tell you is more important than our own fear or discomfort. I've recently known a child who was being abused, and although I was too far removed from the situation to be able to truly help her (despite trying), I can't forget it and I have to urge all the parents I know to be careful in listening to what their children are telling them, with or without words.

    Sphinx answered in Other Family & Kids about 1 year ago | Report
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    I'm not a parent, but I have a lot of friends whose children went through the same phase when they were around that age. I was like that myself as a toddler. I remember crying hysterically on my mom's BINGO nights when she left me alone with my dad because I was afraid of him for no reason. He was a a big bearded man, by the way.

    I don't know of any cures, but it's definitely common and the kids I've known have all grown out of it within a year or two.

    virginia mason answered in Other Family & Kids about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Livi_small
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    This is a common reaction of a child who has been abused. I would go for a checkup with her doctor.

    Or it could just be a phase.

    Livi answered in Other Family & Kids about 1 year ago | Report
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