Parents can tell their children that dreams and nightmares are like stories that we make up when we are asleep. This kind of suggestion can help the child understand that frightening dreams are under our control and that we are able to change them. When your child recounts the dream the next morning, ask what images the child can remember. Ask the child to draw what he or she can remember. By having an image on paper the child may feel more in control and be able manage his or her feelings better.

Try to refrain from interrupting the child's dream. Parents should allow the child to remember whatever details of the bad dream they can freely, and ask open-ended questions regarding the small points they remember. This will allow the child to tell you what he or she thinks the dream "meant."

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