At the moment, dd (age 5) is displaying an extreme fear of bees/wasps. She knows they can sting (but has never been stung herself), and has not (as far as I'm aware) been excessively frightened with scary bee stories.
We went for a picnic this evening, and rather than enjoying the spring sunshine she didn't want to leave the car as she was afraid a bee might appear. Once out, she sat quivering on the blanket watching several bumblebees that were quite a few yards away - and never came close to us. The other day, I found her quivering/crying in the house as a wasp flew around the ceiling - again nowhere close to her.
I've tried reasoning with her to defuse the fear, tried telling her she is being extreme and unnecessarily anxious, tried telling her that bees are good in that they spread pollen/make honey - all to no avail.
I'm concerned that she is so afraid, but it also is tiresome....What else can I say to address her fear? Is this likely to be a passing phase she'll grow out of, or could it be the beginning of a real phobia?
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DD suddenly deathly afraid of bees.....how can I help her?
Earlybird · 12/04/2006 04:36
I think Snowleopard's advice is v good. My eldest ds spent the entire summer of the year he was five indoors 'In case a bee comes into the garden'. 
He did gradually improve but he's now in his 30's and is still wary of bees if they come too close. He has never been stung so I don't know where his fear came from, it seems to be an almost primeval instinct.
It was a PITA, Earlybird! He'd venture outside but as soon as anything buzzed, hummed or chirruped that was it, back indoors. Istr that was also the summer he spent being a duck and we all had to flap our wings going upstairs, paddle in the bath etc.
You'll be relieved to know that he has grown up to be relatively normal, though his wife did overhear him pretending to be a seal in the shower recently! 
Oooh suedonim - you sound a much more patient mum than me! And your fortunate ds sounds to have found a very understanding wife also!
Morning Earlybird, just read yr thread, your DD sounds so much like my DC's. I know a few children who have this fear. I guess if she's 5 shes been at school since september, if this is just a recnt thing it may be one of her friends or staff at school has had a bit of a panick at the ssight of a bee and its rubbed off.
Ive got nursery to thank for my childrens fear, some of the carers in the nursery themselves are afraid and its difficult for them to stay calm and not react infront of the children. V frustrating a i dont particularly like them (stood on one by accident in the garden last year infront of the kids and it stung my foot. I didnt make a big deal about it, my DCs were afraid but a bit more intrigued? think because i hadnt dropped dead!!)They still get hysterical now and again but i dont make a fuss, if they want to sit in the house on a scorching day i cant ban all the bees spiders etc out of the garden. We just all have fun and usually they will come and join us. play it down as much as poss, its so hard to judge how do deal with the situations. just try and ignore it for now, if she comes running in shouting theres a bee in the garden etc etc, well hes got just a much right to fly in ther as you have cant you share th garden with him?? Like i say both of mine get hysterical themselves sometimes and i can sympethise with them,.... not verbally tho, sorry if ive rambled. I think what Im trying to say is try to ignore it when it happens, talk about it if she wants to, otherwise distraction techniques are great, let her see what fun your all having in the garden.
Hope Ive been of some use!! 
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