Children's Dreams?

Hi there,

This is to anyone who can assist. My children's dreams or any child's, do we interpret them the same and apply the same analysis to them as adult dreams? Or do we apply anything different to them?

My oldest son has a repeat dream that keeps him up late at night and cannot get back to sleep some times. I find the dream very disturbing but want to apply some space to it because of his age.

I am not sure if I should do this. 

I would be concerned if it was my dream and realize that I should be equally curious of his.

Any assistance would be great.

Thanks
Denim

Re: Children's Dreams?

I'm guessing that children dreams have similar force as ours, symbols are the same, maybe little emphasized, since children have active imagination and experience of fairy tales and myths, they are not parted from this part of mind. Sometimes they continue daydreams, as never stop feeling and unconsciousness is sometimes stronger than consciousness (relativity of reality), but they see symbols as parts of visible world. I'm fascinated with very young babies and making of grimaces during their sleeping. I'm curious, what are they dreaming, what kind of dreams?
I'm glad to share dream interpretation with my daughter. She is not afraid of nightmares and like to continue day life in dreams, but she is afraid of lucid dreaming and its power.
Maybe I didn't gave you proper answer, but I hope that you will get right path in dream works with your own children.
Peace and joy!

Vesna

Re: Children's Dreams?

I agree with you're reply, Vesna -children do have similar type
dreams, but while they are young they are more influenced by
their active imaginations and fairy tales!

My Grandson (who was 3 at the time) told me had a dream that I had
broken my glasses-but it turned out it was my pen!

If you're son is having disturbing dreams Denim -I would check
two things.One that he is not watching too much graphic violence
on TV or something? -
and two -just be aware that their could well be a serious problem in his
life and check that he is safe and nothing bad has happened.

I don't want to scare you -but it is something we always need to be aware of.

Hopefully it is nothing more than a nightmare= that will soon go away,
it's just that with re-curring dreams you do need to 'dig a bit deeper”,
to find the source.

Good luck :) 

Re: Children's Dreams?

Back tomorrow, guys, it is now din din time over in this part of the world!! 
:-)


PS. Anyone interested in photographs have a look at my albums where I have posted some 'oldies' :-) I tried to set my latest plantation ones in chronological order and succeeded up to a point and then the system chucked a wobbly and did its own thing, so I left it to it!

Re: Children's Dreams?

Hello Denim,

Dreams in themselves are simply communications from Source. We often label them or interpret them to be scary, when in fact they are not. Whilst dreaming, people often travel to deeper layers of the Self, layers that are not easily recognizable or identifiable to the Ego personality.

The stuff left over in your mind when you wake up is not the dream. It is the Ego's interpretation of the dream.

Your son may simply be accessing deeper layers of his own sub-conscious and since he is still young, he may not have any frame of reference in which to interpret or cross-reference the energy behind the dreams.

As other people have mentioned, TV plays a role in how children and even adults interpret their dreams. TV can provide cross-references and frames of references, but if that all one has then there will be distortions that can make the dream seem frightening.

Unlike many people, I would have to discourage the bad reputation that childhood imagination has. Many adult problems and stresses would be eliminated if adults hadn't learned to block their own creativity. We as a society need to relearn how to utilize that wonderful innate gift.

To answer Sandy's concerns, if something bad had happened to your son you would notice a lot more than just mildly disturbing dream imagery. His behavior would be different and there would be other tell tale signs.

Most likely, your son will outgrow these dreams as he gains life experiences.

- Mark -

Re: Children's Dreams?

I suggest that the same principles apply in regard to the dreams of adults and children and this applies also to the child's feelings during the dream; those following the dream are usually only a conscious response and, therefore, irrelevant to the dream interpretation. Bear in mind also that children are much closer in “time” to their spiritual reality and more aware of their past life experiences - particularly the last one - than they would be later when the memory has “closed”.
You say, “I find the dream very disturbing … .”. Remember that one is only an outsider in relation to the dreams of one's children and parenting applies only to talking to the child with a view to helping the child interpret a dream and/or help the child cope with the emotions generated by the dream. One should also attempt to monitor patterns, frequency etc. keeping in mind that children, because of the mental proximity to the reality, are aware of things grownups are not or no longer recall!

Here is a true story which, although not about dreams, does illustrate the awareness that children have which most adults cannot recall:
I once saw a child and his mother on TV. He was about 7 years old and was suffering acutely from some extremely painful affliction - I believe it was arthritis - and the program was about the affliction, not spirituality. At one point, when the mother was carrying on about the pain her son was enduring etc. he just looked up at her and said, quite matter-of-factly, 'Mum, it is only for a few years while I am here!' or words to that effect.

PS. dated 19.05.09.
On reflection, what the boy said was more like this: “Mum, I will be in this body only for short time more.”
Note: I am posting in my journal this anecdote about the young boy as well as one I saw yesterday when a lady was being interviewed about her life. Here is the link.

Re: Children's Dreams?

This is a PS after I have read the contributions of the others which, as usual add to the information sought by the dreamer/inquirer.
Often, in connection with the subject of children, we find reference to the “age” of the child. Whilst this is relevant in certain respects we should never forget that, like us, children are ageless spirit and, inherently, as wise or wiser than we are in spiritual terms. It is only the body that is young and, to some varying extent depending on the individual, the “mind” too.

Re: Children's Dreams?

i guess i would have to know what he keeps dreaming about. if its a nightmare, then there is something in reality bothering him (obviously). could be an omen too. once, the virgin mary came to me in a dream and told me there was going to be a week of thunderstorms. true to her word, there was a week of storms here. and im a constant daydreamer too, and im not about to deny that. i still have a very active imagination, not that its a bad thing. it inspires my art and writing, and problem solving. have you talked to your child about his dreams?

Re: Children's Dreams?

I so agree…about children…wiser on many levels Ian…

Much thanks…

LOVED the pictures…!

Re: Children's Dreams?

Denim,

I can't say that everyone responding to your original post agrees with each other, however I do believe that I and others might be able to give you more insight if we had more information.

Can you give us more insight into the nature of your son's dreams? What is it that you find disturbing? How old is your son?

- Mark -

Re: Children's Dreams?

Hello and thank you for some thoughts on this. I agree Mark and can see how more information would assist this inquire. The morning I posted this, it felt a bit premature on my end as I came off another night sitting with my son late in the hours after having this dream again.

He is 12 years old and has held this dream for almost one year now. As some of you may recall, I have inquired about repeat dreams of my own and find it fascinating with my son's repeat abilities.

He is a “normal” kid, no trauma to report, no behavior posts to note, etc…not overly active with the crazy violent shows, movies or videos. His computer time is severely limited, I wish someone would limit mine!

Anyway…I think what I may be doing is over interpreting this from a parental view, or just another way of saying a mother's heart. I am of the thought that I need not worry so much of his violent or alike influences he may have watched via the TV, as it may be much more my influences that I should worry about. After all, I have filtered much more garbage than he in his 12-year span so far. A bit of what Ian was offering makes sense on this line of thought.

I am concerned I smother my own filters on his dreams and therefore not utterly free to objectively assist him with his dream analysis. I feel however, I may do a better job for someone else's child, just perhaps not my own.

The concern is what Sandy said, “Good Luck!” Why am I overreacting with his dreams? Because I am his mother perhaps? I found myself grasping what the dream was offering and it holds some flags in it for me. 

His dream covers a scenario where he is in a group of people and a part of this group is “against” him and than “something” happens to this group. In the end, the “good” people only are left standing with him. 

I tried the other night to understand what this is about. I asked him what happened to the group, did they die? He says he doesn't know but only sure it is not good. I asked him, if he was responsible for it? In that line of questioning, he said he doesn't know but I suspect perhaps he did and what terrifies him so about his dream. I can see how it would be hard to admit to his mother or anyone that he was capable of such harm.

And I his mother, feel just the same.

So as his mother…do I interpret everything to a degree of fear, worry and wonder…does this mean my child will grow up to be a terror? What if this dream is a demonstration of his positive influential abilities, I mean it can be spun anyway I want right now.

Somehow…I can't quite articulate this and hence the long, drawn out post here…but this has to be a block that I am responsible for…is this my own fear in the way…or my own denial…

For the record…I have no tendencies to believe that my son is some freak in his room or my mind locked up and away attempting to take over anything…I don't want a honest inquire of my son's dream to get overblown in here…by fears of others…

He has always experienced some interesting dreams and patterns and very open to share them. He is very matter of fact while reporting his dreams and completely articulates the conversation regarding the unconscious.

Re: Children's Dreams?

Gizelle,
When I got to the end of the dream I sensed that it was a past life experience in which he achieved a positive result at the expense of some others. Also, his reaction to the dream seems to indicate knowledge not apparent in the dream: this further indicates the above.
What you need to do is to sit with him as he falls asleep each night [or as often as possible] and quietly impress upon him that what happened is alright, is past, and that it is OK to accept it, learn from it and move on - to let go. Repeat this as he falls asleep. It is important that you feel what you are saying!

A couple of other points:
1. re: He is a “normal” kid. You mean that he is normal as far as is noticeable. The Moul is often subject to hidden experiences.
2. re: The greatest parental awareness of any child's “problems” [state of being, mentality] comes when the emotions of the parent/s are minimised as they are naturally biased and tend to cloud the issue/s. Exercise detachment for maximum benefit - it does not mean you love the child any less! In fact it means the opposite!
3. I sense in you the need to apologise on your son's behalf. This has nothing to do with your son; it is to do with your desire to shield his reputation - not your job!
NB. I am being brief intentionally so as to maintain clarity, so if you, or others,  have any questions please ask.

Re: Children's Dreams?

Thanks Ian. I understand. 

I have felt oddly comfortable with my detachment with all my kids, so much so that I at times have surprised myself. I was raised within a culture that “detachment” was or still is impressed upon. We don't call it this of course, but impress the same results or so I think. I don't have any English words to translate how we say it to make it sound “nice”, but if I did have to, it is a phrase I was drilled with growing up as now have my own kids. “Not my problem”…but in my language, it does not sound as rude!

If my child was to climb a structure and falls…”not my problem”…it is their lesson to learn. We allow the child to fall because we LOVE them…

Boy…I hope you can get that…hard for me to explain.

But good reminder…I will take another look at it.

Re: Children's Dreams?

Yes, life is a learning experience and it is difficult, particularly in present times in the “western” world, for people to accept this because emotional conditioning is rife.

Re: Children's Dreams?

Denim,

I can understand why you and your son view this dream as being negative, however, I see it quite differently.

This dream could simply mean that when faced with challenges or adversity, your son will succeed. The ASSUMPTION that something bad happened to the others is simply that, an ASSUMPTION. Like I said before, the images left over in your mind are merely the interpretations of the communications.

To add or delete actions or elements, distort or generalize is very common, not only in dream interpretation, but also in common conversation. You could sit down with your son and simply say that the others were there and then they were not. That means that you won. You are safe from harm. You could also tell him to imagine that the others just realized that they could not beat him and his friends so they left.

You could even go as far as to say that since your son is a good kid and wouldn't harm anyone in his waking reality, then he wouldn't have harmed anyone in the dream. Therefore the others must be okay. just not there to scare him anymore.

I hope this helps.

- Mark -

Re: Children's Dreams?

Thanks Mark for your time, I will certainly look at my son's dream in another manner if it shall ever come again. 

Overall, all four of my kids have offered some great insight with their dream stories.

I am really glad I posted, I was a bit hesitant. Thanks to all and certainly more than willing to come back to this if anyone can offer more.

Denim.

Re: Children's Dreams?

Sorry if my comment of good luck disturbed you Denim-
I certainly didn't mean it to.
I meant good luck in finding out the story behind the dream -
and I guess there was bit of reality in that I hope there was
nothing bad behind it- which I consider a responsible act to
put into consideration.

By your further account of your son's dream, plus his age-
the fact that he is bordering on puberty is relavant as are
normal fears at this transition time.
It also sounds much like a playground situation or something at School
which is manifesting itself in a dream.

I think the greatest thing is that you have the lines of communication
open with him-and the best thing you could do-
is to now try and help him let this dream go….

Re: Children's Dreams?

No, your comment did not disturb me at all Sandy. I can see how that was picked up in the manner I wrote it. I was thinking it myself but in a motherly over reacting mode and I am okay with that too. 

I finally settled late last night after the hubby and I spoke about it that we are grateful we have an open communication with him, we hope it to never change. Your right Sandy, this is the best we can ask for as he does make this transition. This whole experience so far was a good reminder as well that we need to spend more one on one time with just him. We have a busy home at times and sometimes it can feel like Ernie the sick chicken gets more one on one with me!

I also take it back that he is “normal” Ian! He is not normal and prides himself on not being “normal”. After observing him this last weekend, I might agree…he is not normal! I offer this with some giggles in it but it was what I heard his father say last night…”what is up with that kid lately, that is not normal”…I fell over in fits of giggles, told him of the post and than we debated what normal was!

He is off but perhaps “normal” for his age as well.

All and all this was a good flag and I can honestly say this was a good exercise for me to write it out loud and think upon it. I wrote extended reply posts and while never posting them, it felt really good to do. I am sincerely grateful for having a space I can come to and find a mix of diverse views offered.

Thank you so much for taking the time with me,

Re: Children's Dreams?

I agree with Sandy, some situations direct the way of dream expression and it is much more emphasized during teenage period when kids start to look on life with different eyes when they are searching new meanings of life with different valuable categories. They and their parents are confused, since they are growing new model of relationship. Some opportunities and responsibilities become important, some new parts of personality arise from nowhere and start to manage behaving. Children are frighten, they are loosing other parts of personality as normal growth. Its challenge. I had similar experience with my daughter, she is 13 and sometimes she had horror dreams, fighting against rude and violent people. Some dreams had good end, some are pretty painful, but all of that is part of her growing and character: in awaken state she is fighter for justice and prosperity, so she continue same fight in dreams.
It is great Denim that you share dreams with your son and you can give him so much courage in his own battles in inner and outer world.
I hope that I gave you some inspirations after all. Keep going on!

Vesna

Re: Children's Dreams?

EXCELLENT! A great effort by all, and achieved with no hard feelings. Good to see! 
:-)