My sn is scared of MEN

hey my son is almost 15 months and has become petrified of almost every man. hes fine with his dad and great grandad who he spends alot of time with. if hes playing and a man walks into the room he will cry, run up to me and pt his arms up to be piked up or gran my leg, hold it for dear life and hide. as soon as the man leaves hes perfectly fine. is this a security thing???? can it be that he feels threatend by men???? any help would be appriciated xxx
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EileenHayes
Reply EileenHayes 28 days ago
There is no need for you to panic too much about this. It is very common for toddlers to have a wide variety of fears to quite surprising things or people, and is really just part of a normal developmental stage. It can seem not at all rational to adults, and it is often impossible to find out exactly why a particular fear started. I’m sure he doesn’t feel threatened by men in general as you say he is fine with his dad and granddad. Toddlers do also go through a period of being very suspicious of strangers –actually called “stranger suspicion” as it is so common at this age (which can be anyone they don’t see very often, and they can display the fearful behaviour to grandparents who don’t live nearby), but they do grow out of this. It may also be part of a useful survival strategy –after all you wouldn’t really want your toddler to be happy to just go off with anyone. It is best to be patient and understanding about the behaviour. Don’t tell your son off, and never force him to just face up to a fear, for example saying something like “oh don’t be silly, there’s nothing to worry about.” It is best just to cuddle him and show you understand.
nikkit73
Reply nikkit73 30 days ago
hey hun.my 2 younger ones had this.for no reason at all.my 16 month daughter stil like it sometimes.my son is 3 now and is fine but when he was younge he developed a fear around other men but it didnt last long.i do think it a security thing.i wouldnt worry too much.just try to reassure him as much as poss so he knows he safe around men.xxx
KYLE2008
Reply KYLE2008 30 days ago
no theres absolutly nothing i can think of which would give him a reason to be scared.
CaseyJaye
Reply CaseyJaye 1 months ago
Has anything happened that would scare him? Been to a male doctor/dentist? Seen an argument in the street or been in a busy shopping centre with lots of men barging past? Even something on TV? Maybe something when he's been out with your OH that he didn't think to mention? x
KYLE2008
Reply KYLE2008 1 months ago
hey my son is almost 15 months and has become petrified of almost every man. hes fine with his dad and great grandad who he spends alot of time with. if hes playing and a man walks into the room he will cry, run up to me and pt his arms up to be piked up or gran my leg, hold it for dear life and hide. as soon as the man leaves hes perfectly fine. is this a security thing???? can it be that he feels threatend by men???? any help would be appriciated xxx
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