My son is afraid of the dark. HELP!

Fear and anxiety are ubiquitous; some have it more than others. Many a time, specific types of fears run in families.

- DR.sachin baliga

My eight-year-old is afraid of the dark. How do I help him overcome this fear? 
-Kara Abraham, Trivandrum

Or there may be some incident which has triggered this fear. Make an effort to understand the cause of his fear, and help him cope with it. You could introduce him to positive self-suggestion, such as telling yourself, "I am not afraid", and narrate stories of superheroes. Maybe he will feel more confident with some kind of totem in hand, that signifies power to protect. Be supportive and don't ridicule his fear of the dark.

My daughter is very sensitive and gets upset when teased by friends. Of late, she has become more withdrawn. Please advise.
- Mira Shanmugam,

Chennai Depending on her age, you could have a chat with her about what's bothering her. She might be finding it hard to cope with the teasing and bullying. Sometimes, sharing what you might've faced during your own school days and ways you dealt with it helps. Explain to her that it's natural to have insecurities and reassure her of your full support. Many girl children, especially during their teenage years, become conscious of their body image and develop self-confidence issues. However, if you feel it's beginning to adversely affect her academic focus, interaction with peers, sleep and appetite, consult a mental health professional.

My daughter does all her school work but she completes it more slowly than others. I wonder if she has a learning/ concentration problem.
Himanshi Rishi, Delhi