The Profound Meaning Behind a Child's Nightmare Dreams

Dreams involving children, particularly those where they experience nightmares, can evoke a deep sense of concern for parents and caregivers. Nightmares in children often reflect their inner fears, anxieties, or even challenges they may be facing in their waking life. From a spiritual perspective, these manifestations in dreams can offer insights into not just the child's emotional state but also familial dynamics and influences that may be affecting them.

Recognizing the significance of such dreams can empower families to address these fears compassionately and proactively. This reflection calls for a thoughtful examination of the content of these nightmares, as well as a deeper understanding of the child's daily experiences, relationships, and emotional health. It is essential to approach these dreams with empathy and patience, allowing space for conversation and development to help the child feel secure and understood.

Thus, understanding the dream of a child having nightmares becomes a vital aspect of nurturing their overall well-being.

• Dreams of children having nightmares often symbolize their emotional struggles.
• These dreams may reflect the child's anxieties or fears in waking life.
• Parents can play a crucial role in helping children process these nightmares.

Symbols

• nightmares
  • Nakedness:

    In a dream, it means belligerence and injustice.

  • Worries:

    (Anxiety; Perturbation; Uneasiness) Worries in a dream mean regret, repentance, blaming oneself, attrition and remorse.

  • Night:

    (Darkness; Heedlessness; Ignorance) In a dream, a moonless night represents lack of work, stagnation, or losing one’s job. If one sees the whole world in the dark and the moon is still radiant in the skies in a dream, it means that the governor will temporarily relinquish his entire duties to his chief minister or secretary, and that thieves and robbers will cluster around them for business. If one then sees the daylight in his dream, it means that such an adversity will pass.

    If people are under siege in the dream and the daylight dawns after a long dark night in a dream, it means that their siege will be lifted. If people are suffering from high prices and someone sees that dream, it means that prices will go back to normal. If they are suffering from tyranny, it too will pass.

    The night in a dream also means marital relations, while the day means separation between them. In a dream, the darkness of night also represents heedlessness and particularly if one witnesses thunder and lightning in his dream. Seeing a complete darkness inside one’s house in a dream means taking a long journey.

    The night and the day in a dream represent two adverse rulers, or two competitors or adversaries. The night in a dream also represents an atheist, while the day in a dream represents a believer. The night in a dream also signifies comfort and rest, while the day means toiling and hardships.

    In a dream, the night also means sexual pleasures, while the day means divorce or separation. The night in a dream signifies economic stagnation, while the day means business, travels and hypocrisy. If the night in a dream is interpreted to represent the ocean, then the day means land.

    The night in a dream also means death, while the day represents life and resurrection. The night and the day together may represent the two guardian angels who record each person’s deeds and who are God’s witnesses. If a sick person sees the dawn in a dream, it means that he will recover from his illness, or die from it.

    If he is imprisoned, it means that he will be released. If he is a sinner, it means that he will repent for his sins. If he is a merchant and his business is not moving, it means that his merchandise will be finally sold.

    The nightfall at the end of the day in a dream also could mean the opposite. Seeing the night in a dream also denotes constant changes in one’s life, poverty, hunger, starvation, or death. The night and the day in a dream also represent wisdom and protocols, or indulging in something one will regret.

    The nightfall in a dream also may denote changing times, or changing trends. The night in a dream also could represent an African woman, while the day may represent a Caucasian woman, or a pregnant woman. The night in a dream also represents the evening gown, while the day represents work.

    The night in a dream also means veiling one’s difficulties and taking refuge in a safe place, except if the one seeing the dream is a traveller, then the night in his dream means injustice and ignorance. The night in a dream also 304 IBN SEERIN’S denotes devotion, holding a night vigil, attaining one’s goal, or meeting with one’s beloveds.

• kid
  • Gems of the eyes:

    (Children)

  • Little boy:

    (Little boy) In a dream, a child carried in one’s arms means responsibility, distress and difficulties. A teenage child represents glad tidings or dispelling one’s worries. If one sees a beautiful looking teenage child entering a town or descending from the skies or appearing from beneath the ground in a dream, it means that the glad tidings will take effect shortly.

    Seeing a mature child in a dream means power and superiority. If one sees himself as a child learning in school in a dream, it means that he will repent of a common sin he is used to commit. If one sees one of the renowned people of knowledge sitting in a kindergarten and learning along with other children in a dream, it means that he will shift to ignorance, lose his rank, or that financial changes will affect his living conditions.

    If one sees himself receiving instructions like a child in a dream, it means that he will receive an inheritance from his mother. If one sees himself as a newborn child in a dream, it means that he will become wealthy and prosper. If a young boy sees himself in a dream as a child, it has a negative meaning.

    If a sick person sees himself as a child in a dream, it means his death. If one sees himself as a child being reprimanded in a dream, it means that he will be conquered. In a dream, if one looks in a mirror and sees his face to be that of a child, and if his wife is pregnant, it means that she will beget a son who will look like his father.

    Carrying a baby child in a dream means distress and burdens. A child in a dream represents a weak enemy who sometime shows friendliness and at other times demonstrates his enmity. If one sees that his wife has just delivered children who are playing around him in a dream, it means distress or misfortune and the consequences could be either good or bad.

    Carrying a child in a dream means managing an inheritance or a financial investment. If an elderly person sees himself roaming as a little child in a dream, it means that he will commit an act of ignorance or lose his dignity, ideals or sense of honor. On the other hand, if such an elderly person who sees himself in a dream as a little child is suffering from depression or financial difficulties or health problems, then it means relief from distress and good health and that he will become free from his sins, like the day his mother gave birth to him.

    If one sees that he has a little child who disdains from coming near his father in the dream, it means financial promotion and enjoyment of one’s life. If one sees a little child screaming in his lap in a dream, it means that he plays a string instrument. Children in a dream also could mean either sorrow and pain or happiness and joy.

    If they are one’s own children in the dream, then they mean temptation with money. Children in a dream also could mean contentment with little or loss of one’s means to earn his livelihood or they could mean money or marriage or a flourishing business. Bereavement of a child in a dream means the opposite in real life.

    It also means rejoicing, reunions, pleasures and earning respect. Bereavement of a child in a dream is sometimes interpreted to portray an intention of one’s children or wife to separate from the family. A little male child in a dream represents worries, responsibilities, hard work, catering to ignorant people or dealing with trivial and time wasting people.

    If a prisoner sees himself carrying a little girl in his dream, it means that he will be released from his prison. If one who is going through hard times sees himself holding a little girl in a dream, it means that his adversities will be lifted. If he is poor, it means that he will thrive for success and the little girl then represents his glad tidings.

  • Young boy:

    (Young boy) Seeing a young boy in a dream means receiving glad tidings. Begetting a boy in a dream means worries, burdens or sickness, while giving birth to a girl in a dream means relief from distress or easing of one’s difficulties. Carrying a young boy in a dream means carrying burdens.

    Giving birth to a boy in a dream also could mean having a helper. A beautiful looking young boy in a dream also signifies good luck and victory over one’s enemy. Seeing a beautiful looking boy in a dream means that beautiful and pleasant things will take place in one’s life, or it could mean satisfying one’s needs.

    If one is called a teenager in a dream, it signifies the necessity to take a ritual ablution, or that something good or bad may take place in wakefulness.

• terrors
  • Suppression:

    (Oppression; Suppression; Tyranny) Terrorizing others or oppressing them in a dream denotes a mental sickness, depression, psychological weak¬ ness, or actions that will bring their author closer to hell-fire. Terrorizing others in a dream represents one’s own losses and humiliation. Terrorizing people in a dream also means poverty, loss of business, a severe illness, or it could represent profits that will turn into losses.

  • Stockbroker:

    (Broker; Stockbroker; Wood warm) In a dream, termites represent jealousy, envy, perfidy, competition in knowledge, or search for arguments. If one sees termites in his carry-on bag, or eating from his staff in a dream, they mean his death. Termites in a dream also represent a slanderer who tricks wealthy people to make his commission by advising them to place their money into bad investments.

    If a sick person sees termites inside his house or clinging to his skin in a dream, it also means his death. If one sees termites eating his wooden door, table orbed in a dream, they mean an illness. Termites in a dream also means having a large family with little income.

    Terra firma;

  • Termite:

    (Broker; Stockbroker; Wood warm) In a dream, termites represent jealousy, envy, perfidy, competition in knowledge, or search for arguments. If one sees termites in his carry-on bag, or eating from his staff in a dream, they mean his death. Termites in a dream also represent a slanderer who tricks wealthy people to make his commission by advising them to place their money into bad investments.

    If a sick person sees termites inside his house or clinging to his skin in a dream, it also means his death. If one sees termites eating his wooden door, table orbed in a dream, they mean an illness. Termites in a dream also means having a large family with little income.

    Terra firma;

• bad dreams
  • Scowling:

    (Frowning) Scowling in a dream connotes a misfortune.

  • Spikes:

    (Fishbones) DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 405

  • Alopecia:

    DICTIONARY OF DREAMS

• youngster
  • Teenage boy:

    (Teenage boy) An unknown young man in a dream represents an enemy. If the young man is known in the dream, then whatever strength, harshness, weaknesses, deceit, perfidy, or character he displays, they denote the same character in wakefulness. Walking behind an unknown young man in a dream means pursuing one’s enemy and conquering him.

    If one meets an unknown young man whom he dislikes in a dream, it means that such an enemy will surface and people will abhor him. If one happens to like him in the dream, then it means that he will face an enemy whom most people like and sympathize with. If a young man sees himself turned into an old person in a dream, it means that he will suffer major losses in his life.

    Ayoung man or a teenager in a dream mostly represents an enemy, for a teenager rarely respects or heeds the advice of his peers. A young man in a dream also represents deceit, betrayal, energy, or stubbornness, though he also could represent blessings and gratitude.

  • Pubescence:
  • Teenage girl:

    (Teenage girl) A young girl in a dream represents an enemy however she may look. Seeing a well dressed and pleasingly adorned young woman in a dream means hearing pleasing news coming from an unexpected person. Seeing a young and a beautiful looking female servant in a dream means blessings, a favor, joy and festivities.

    In a dream, seeing an unknown young girl is more advantageous than seeing a known one. The strongest in meaning are those teenage girls who are presentable, well mannered and beautifully dressed. If she is seen dressed with modesty in the dream, then she represents goodness, chastity, discreteness, and following the correct religious conduct.

    If she adorns herself and plays up her charms in the dream, then such goodness will be public. If a young girl sees herself as an old woman in a dream, it means that she will live with modesty and preserve her chastity. If an old woman sees herself turned young again in the dream, it means regaining her strength, sexual desire and fertility.

    If she engages in lawful sexual intercourse in marriage, it denotes strong religious adherence. If she engages in sexual intercourse with someone without marriage in the dream, then her dream represents her love for the world and attachment to its glitters. If one sees an old woman turned young in a dream, then the above explanation becomes stronger.

    However, if one is poor, it means that her basic needs will be secured. If one has lost her chances in this world, it means that she will have a new opportunity, or if she is sick, it means that she will recover from her illness. Seeing a young girl frowning in a dream means that one may hear disturbing news.

    If she looks emaciated, then one’s dream denotes poverty. If she is naked in the dream, it means business losses and defamation. Marrying a virgin teenage girl in a dream means wealth.

• child
  • Little boy:

    (Little boy) In a dream, a child carried in one’s arms means responsibility, distress and difficulties. A teenage child represents glad tidings or dispelling one’s worries. If one sees a beautiful looking teenage child entering a town or descending from the skies or appearing from beneath the ground in a dream, it means that the glad tidings will take effect shortly.

    Seeing a mature child in a dream means power and superiority. If one sees himself as a child learning in school in a dream, it means that he will repent of a common sin he is used to commit. If one sees one of the renowned people of knowledge sitting in a kindergarten and learning along with other children in a dream, it means that he will shift to ignorance, lose his rank, or that financial changes will affect his living conditions.

    If one sees himself receiving instructions like a child in a dream, it means that he will receive an inheritance from his mother. If one sees himself as a newborn child in a dream, it means that he will become wealthy and prosper. If a young boy sees himself in a dream as a child, it has a negative meaning.

    If a sick person sees himself as a child in a dream, it means his death. If one sees himself as a child being reprimanded in a dream, it means that he will be conquered. In a dream, if one looks in a mirror and sees his face to be that of a child, and if his wife is pregnant, it means that she will beget a son who will look like his father.

    Carrying a baby child in a dream means distress and burdens. A child in a dream represents a weak enemy who sometime shows friendliness and at other times demonstrates his enmity. If one sees that his wife has just delivered children who are playing around him in a dream, it means distress or misfortune and the consequences could be either good or bad.

    Carrying a child in a dream means managing an inheritance or a financial investment. If an elderly person sees himself roaming as a little child in a dream, it means that he will commit an act of ignorance or lose his dignity, ideals or sense of honor. On the other hand, if such an elderly person who sees himself in a dream as a little child is suffering from depression or financial difficulties or health problems, then it means relief from distress and good health and that he will become free from his sins, like the day his mother gave birth to him.

    If one sees that he has a little child who disdains from coming near his father in the dream, it means financial promotion and enjoyment of one’s life. If one sees a little child screaming in his lap in a dream, it means that he plays a string instrument. Children in a dream also could mean either sorrow and pain or happiness and joy.

    If they are one’s own children in the dream, then they mean temptation with money. Children in a dream also could mean contentment with little or loss of one’s means to earn his livelihood or they could mean money or marriage or a flourishing business. Bereavement of a child in a dream means the opposite in real life.

    It also means rejoicing, reunions, pleasures and earning respect. Bereavement of a child in a dream is sometimes interpreted to portray an intention of one’s children or wife to separate from the family. A little male child in a dream represents worries, responsibilities, hard work, catering to ignorant people or dealing with trivial and time wasting people.

    If a prisoner sees himself carrying a little girl in his dream, it means that he will be released from his prison. If one who is going through hard times sees himself holding a little girl in a dream, it means that his adversities will be lifted. If he is poor, it means that he will thrive for success and the little girl then represents his glad tidings.

  • Gems of the eyes:

    (Children)

  • Greenhouse:

    (Greenhouse; Hotbed) In a dream, a nursery represents profits, annual return or a fertile woman. Owning or attending a nursery in a dream means victory, prosperity, marriage, acquiring knowledge, training in arts, or repent¬ ing from sin and harvesting the fruits of one’s repentance. If the fruits of one’s plants turn into gold or silver in one’s dream, it means either benefits, profits, or that a disease will impair the growth of one’s plants, or it could mean unsalability of one’s crop.

Effective Strategies to Support Children with Nightmares

• Open a Dialogue

  Creating an environment where children feel safe to express their fears is crucial. Engage them in discussions about their dreams in a gentle manner. Ask open-ended questions and listen attentively to their feelings.

  This not only helps children articulate their fears but also fosters trust and creates a stronger bond. Allow them to express the content of their nightmares, ensuring they know that it’s okay to share these experiences without judgment. Encourage them to talk about their feelings before bed, as acknowledging these emotions can reduce the intensity of their nightmares.

  Furthermore, affirming that they are not alone, and that many children experience nightmares, can also help normalize their feelings and provide comfort. Remember, communication is key to understanding what may be triggering these dreams.

• Create a Comforting Bedtime Routine

  Establishing a calming nighttime routine can be beneficial in minimizing nightmares. This could involve activities such as reading soothing stories, listening to gentle music, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. Such routines can help bridge the transition from the busyness of the day to a peaceful sleep environment.

  Including elements that promote security, like a favorite stuffed toy or a nightlight, may also ease anxiety. Involve the child in the process by allowing them to choose comforting items or activities, making them feel more in control. Additionally, avoid exposing them to frightening or overly stimulating media before bed, as these influences can impact their sleep quality.

  Consistency in bedtime rituals helps signal the brain that it is time to wind down, which can lead to more restful nights.

• Encourage Creative Expression

  Encourage children to express their feelings and fears related to nightmares creatively. Activities such as drawing, painting, or storytelling can provide an outlet for exploring emotions in a safe space. For instance, they might create a comic strip about their nightmare, where they can change the ending to a happier scenario.

  This not only empowers them but also allows them to see their fears in a new light, often stripping them of their power. Additionally, you can collaborate with them in these creative endeavors, turning it into a bonding exercise that builds resilience. Artistic expression is a powerful tool for processing emotions, making it easier for children to understand and articulate their feelings about their dreams.

• Teach Coping Techniques

  Facilitate the learning of coping skills that children can use when they wake up from a nightmare. Techniques such as positive affirmations, visualization of happy or calming images, or grounding exercises can help them regain emotional stability. For instance, have them visualize a ‘happy place’ they can go to when they feel scared.

  Teaching them breathing exercises could also help calm their minds. Practicing these skills together during the day allows children to familiarize themselves with these techniques, making it easier to employ them during moments of distress. Empowering them with tools to manage their anxieties will not only help them cope with nightmares but also enhance their emotional resilience overall.

• Involve Faith and Spirituality

  Incorporating elements of faith can provide comfort and reassurance to children experiencing nightmares. Depending on your family's beliefs, you can introduce practices like reciting prayers, reading comforting verses, or discussing the concept of guardian angels or protective spirits. Share stories that highlight the triumph of good over evil, reinforcing the idea that they are always safeguarded and loved.

  Creating a spiritual bedtime ritual, such as saying a protective verse together, can help instill a sense of security and peace before sleep. Teaching children about concepts like gratitude or mindfulness can further cultivate a positive mindset, alleviating fear and fostering a nurturing sense of safety.

FAQs

• What do children's nightmares typically mean?

  Children's nightmares often reflect their daily experiences and emotions. They may stem from fears about separation, school-related anxieties, or other stressors. These dreams can serve as a subconscious mechanism for processing overwhelming feelings or challenging situations, inviting parents to explore ways to support children's emotional health.

• How can I help my child feel secure after a nightmare?

  Reassuring your child is pivotal. Offer comfort by holding them close, listening to their recounting of the nightmare, and validating their fears. Let them know that it is a common occurrence and that they are safe now. Creating a safe sleep space with familiar items can help instill security.

• Are nightmares a sign of deeper issues in children?

  While occasional nightmares are common, frequent ones can suggest deeper issues such as anxiety or stress. If nightmares persist and appear significantly distressing or disrupt sleep, consulting a pediatrician or child psychologist may be advisable to explore potential underlying concerns.

• Can I prevent my child from having nightmares?

  While you cannot entirely prevent nightmares, establishing a positive bedtime environment and routine can significantly minimize their frequency. Limit exposure to scary media and ensure a calm atmosphere before sleep to help cultivate more pleasant dreams.

• What should I do if my child is afraid to sleep alone after a nightmare?

  Instilling a sense of safety is key. Gradually reassuring your child about sleeping alone, perhaps with a comforting object or nightlight, can help. You can also establish a rewards system to encourage them and praise their bravery. If persistent fears continue, addressing underlying worries through open dialogue is important.

References