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I took my daughter trick or treating last night. She just turned four years old, and she was very shy about it. She especially didn't like the idea of walking around when it was pretty dark. She's had issues with the dark ever since birth. We put two nightlights in her room, but she still had a fit. Finally, I'd found a tiny flashlight in our house and I gave that to her to take to bed. She would fall asleep with it turned on and I'd go in moments later to turn it off and lay it next to her. As long as she had that flashlight as her security blanket, she was fine. So, I wasn't surprised when she refused to walk out of our front door last night in the dusk, without her flashlight. As we walked through our dimly lit neighborhood, she kept that flashlight beam focused on the ground. At first, she would take the flashlight with her as she rang doorbells and accidentally lit up a few faces in the process. Eventually, I volunteered to hold it while she was on the front porch to avoid any more issues.
It amazes me how a small pen flashlight could provide so much comfort to a child, but I'm not complaining. I've told some fellow parents about my solution and they quickly soothed their own children's fears of the dark in the same manner. I definitely go through quite a few small batteries though. However, if it saves some fears for your children and some frustrations for parents, it is very worthwhile. There are some flashlights out there that are more of a toy - like magic wands that light up. Their sole purpose isn't to allow someone to see in the dark, it is to entertain and light up when it is dark. But, nonetheless, if it makes a child feel safe and is comforting, it doesn't matter if it is a true flashlight or not.
When we were walking through the neighborhood last evening, she had her little flashlight and I had mine. My flashlight is a heavy duty bright yellow one that I bought at Home Depot. This thing is lightweight, has a strap to hold onto, and is very powerful. I love it. If you're looking to own a flashlight that will be durable and reliable, make sure it is more of a heavy duty type. Though I wouldn't recommend sleeping with one that makes the room a bit too bright.
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