It’s Newyear party time and the entire house is decorated with lights and flowers. Sana’s dad got a lot of big and colorful balloons, which he started blowing so that he can tie them all over the house. In the meantime, Shrav and Sana who were playing outside in the garden came into the house for a quick snack. What followed then was a big fireworks show of Daam, Daam Tus, Tus. Didn’t you understand what is this fuss all about isn’t it? Then read on further to know what it is all about.
Daam, Daam Tus Tus
The moment Shrav saw the balloons, he got panicky as he is scared of big sounds. He always thinks about the popping sound that comes from balloons and keeps thinking as to when they are going to pop, instead of playing with the balloons like other kids of his age. The balloons always pop with big sounds – Daam daam. Shrav is allergic to high decibel sounds and that’s why Diwali is the most hated festival for him.
Shrav: Shouting, Uncle – please put away all those ballons. They are not good for us. I hate them so much.
Sana: Stop overacting Shrav, I like playing with ballons and that’s why my dad got those ballons for me. How can we have a party without balloons?
Shrav: Hitting his head, I am not overacting Sana. I do hate balloons. So that’s why I am asking your dad to remove them. Why you don’t understand it?
Sana: How can a kid hate balloons. There must be something wrong with you, come lets go to a doctor and get you tested out.
Shrav stomps out of the room into library in a huff and bangs the door. Sana follows him back like a true friend.
Read the Related Post: Introducing Sana the Sweetheart by Shrav in #SSseries
Sana: Shrav tell me, why are you scared of balloons. There should be some reason for this fear of yours, isn’t it? She started shooting questions at Shrav like arrows. Tus Tus
Shrav: I don’t like those horrible balloons why you can’t understand. So, go away from me as you want only balloons. You are not my friend any more.
Shrav’s mommy comes into the room to see what’s going on as both of them were shouting at their top of the voices. When she understood the situation, she explained to Sana that Shrav is a very sensitive person and the sudden high volume sounds disturb him a lot. He can only bear the sounds that he makes but gets jittery and agitated for the sounds that are not in his control.
Then Sana, being a naughty child, came up with a naughty plan as usual. She went on popping the balloons behind Shrav’s back whenever he is not looking. Shrav kept getting angrier and angrier. He picks up the toy gun and tries to threaten Sana. But that also didn’t work out. So he walks out of Sana’s house full of anger and tells his mom that he would never play again with that little monster again. In fact, he doesn’t even want to see her again.
The next day, morning when Shrav’s mom couldn’t find him in the house – she goes in search of him, only to find both little munchkins playing happily in the backyard. After the play is over, Sana hands over Shrav a gift in the wrapped paper. When Shrav tears it open, he sees that it’s nothing but Sana’s favorite piggy bank, which she calls as the “Anxiety Box“. Sana tells him to write all his fears about the balloons in chits and put them into this “anxiety box” daily. This “anxiety box” would safeguard all his fears and he can be free without any tensions. Shrav keeps writing the chits and puts them into that “anxiety box” for couple of days.
During their next picnic day, both the parents could see Shrav and Sana playing merrily with the balloons in the park. Shrav is no longer scared of balloons. Sana helped him in getting over his fear of balloons and sounds. Now let’s see whether Shrav would really be able to bear the sound of crackers in the next episode?
This post is part of #SSSeries that @Shravmusings is hosting. Please message us incase you want to join this fun event.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘#Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy and Noor Anand Chawla, and happily SPONSORED BY RRE Studios and SHOWCASE Events.
My neice used to be scared of ballons when she was small. Now she is all grown up and not scared of them. the anxiety box idea is a excellent idea. If you face your fears like writing and putting your fear in the box you will be able to get over your fear.
Oh thats good to hear Ruchita. Yes, most of the kids outgrow these fears when they grow up or get into the right peer group. Thanks for dropping by
My grand-nephew is scared of balloons and I try to play with him to remove the fear. I used to have two jars for positive and negatives instead of a piggy bank. That’s how I started my gratitude prayers as when you see that you have a lot to be grateful for, the negatives can be overlooked.
I also heard about that Gratitude jar thing Harjeet. Most of the kids in this generation are plagued by a lot of anxieties and fears, as they are not in their own company of peers. When kids grow up as a group, most of these life skills are learned automatically, without us teaching them. That peer company is being missed by this generation of kids
That s such a sweet and thoughtful gesture by Sana. Sometimes, we have to face our fears to get rid of them. Talking about our insecurities and handling them in time is very important.
Yes Alpana, talking about our insecurities to our closest person removes them most of the time. Thanks for dropping by
The anxiety box is an amazing idea and I liked Sana gesture here, it was lovely!
Thank you Monidipa. That’s the very reason Sana is a sweetheart as per Shrav. But their fights are going to get bigger and bigger in the future.
Wow I really liked the idea of anxiety box. yes kids have different kind of fears and I feel that use this technique is best way to remove their fear and anxiety in a playful manner, thanks a lot dear for sharing.
Thank you Surbhi. Yes for kids, we need to use creative and fun-filled ways to overcome their fears.
Of th.e two kids, Sana appears to be more compassionate. She understood and tried to help her friend overcome his anxiety of loud noise. I guess there are many people that we dont know of who may also be very averse to loud noise. This phobia may not necessarily be one off thing, this may be related to physiology of the person. May be someone has highly sensitive ear drum that pains when loud noise is made. As more and more people express their fear and anxiety, we may be better educated of the problem.
Well said Abhijit. For the outsiders, these might appear to be tiny problems, but for the people who are suffering, they are huge. All they need is empathetic family and friends so that they can overcome those problems
True.
You have touched upon a very important issue that many people are not ready to share or discuss. Anxiety, fear or any issue needs to be addressed at the right time and what better than a friend who is of your age can help you come out of that. I really liked the idea of anxiety box.
Thank you Swati for your kind words. That is the specific reason for me to start this comic series for kids as there are a lot of anxiety issues and other psychological problems started coming up in kids due to the last year’s pandemic. Its high time that we as parents have to start taking notice of these issues and take the right steps to help them.
Guess what, my son was also afraid of balloons when he was a kid! He would even wake up with the voice of balloonwalla whose visiting hours coincided with my son’s sleeping hours
I know that most of the kids are afraid of the sudden popping sounds of the balloons. We have to act and address it at the right time in the right way, otherwise, it would affect them badly in the future. Thanks for dropping by Aditi
Kudos to you Suhasini, you have presented it so well. I was reading the post with so much interest and waiting for something exactly like how you ended the post. You have addressed two things here that how a kid can find a loud noise disturbing and how we can help him with a little sensitivity and sometimes with such a simple gesture.
Thank you, Priyanka for your warm words. Yes, most of the problems that the kids face can be dealt with with a little bit of sensitivity. And I am planning to bring out all those issues under this series.
Sounds great! Will be looking forward
Kids are like this only. One time they fight and the next moment forgive and forget, really pure souls. Every child is different, their likes, dislikes and so their reaction. I loved the way little Shrav overcomes his fear. Such a cute way. Also I learnt from him how to overcome my fears. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Sonia, for your kind words
Such a unique and different idea of “Anxiety Box”. Kids are generally scared of many things (including bursting crackers or balloons) at young age and to help them get out such fears it is important to help them get out of it. This is a very good idea indeed!
THank you Shail for reading this.
Practical and wise post to overcome anxiety in kids and the best part it is said from a child’s point of view.
Thank you Siva for reading the post
That is such a cool idea of putting in all anxieties into a box. Glad that it worked to alleviate his fears. And as they say children hold no grudges and forgive easily – was good the see that their friendship continues despite Sana’s pranks.
Thank you Vasumati for dropping by.
Very well written post from a child’s perspective. The tips such as anxiety box are useful.
Thank you Prerna for dropping by
That is such a lovely story. A anxiety box is an excellent to teach kids about anxiety, in a way they would understand. Wish grown ups were this kind to those sufferings from anxiety issues.
Thank you Ritu. Yeah, I truly agree to your point Ritu
Wonderful approach to help kids get rid of fear. The story woven around it makes it really easy to understand the use of anxiety box. I would suggest to also create some activity to let go of these fears. So that kids can be truly free of them and not be bothered what happens when they open to see.
Thank you Urvashi for the wonderful suggestion. Yeah, sure we will create something of that sort.
Such a beautiful approach to tackle childhood fears and insecurities. I personally relate as bursting of balloons still gets my stomach churned up. Thus, I made sure my son doesn’t go through it. 🙂
I can understand Payal. Same thing with me too.
What an excellent way to overcome the fears. I have a happiness jar made to keep tab on all the happy moments we have on a day to day basis. The anxiety box seems a perfect solution to express our fears and negative emotions. I love reading your stories. I would love to be a part of it too.
this made such an interesting read. Through the simple conversation of kids though addressed important issues of handling anxiety in kids and how to overcome them.
Thank you Supriti
Beautiful article. Sana seems like a smart girl and a good friend. Balloon popping fear is normal I think. I like the idea of anxiety box. Cute conversation between Shrav and Sana.
‘Anxiety Box’ – The Best idea to throw out all the hidden or non hidden fears inside. I thing I should recommend this idea to my sis in law too her son is badly scared of even the lightest crackers. Wonderful short story!
Wao i really loved reading this super cute story; and yes we all have hidden fears & we must address them .
Loved the idea of anxiety box!
A very touching story that has beautiful elements like friendship, taking away fears and the most important of taking a new day as it comes. I wish adults too would write down their insecurites and learn to move on.
This is a great way for kids to overcome their fear. Thank you for suggesting it the anxiety box ..I’d love to try this with my daughter
My daughter also had a fear of few things and that includes balloons too. I would love to try this box for other kids in family now. Thanks.
Thank you Nehal, thats so sweet of you. Please let me know how did it go
This is really a very touching story which has shown everything like friendship, taking away fears in beautiful way. We all have hidden fears & we must address them .
Well said Jyoti. If those fears are not addressed during our childhood, they might turn into something very bad at a later point in life.
This is a nice story of small kids. Is this Anxiety box really work in real life? Friendship is a god’s gift, and we all should keep it with full care. Loved this small story of friends and a fear of balloon.
Thank you Bhawna
Anxiety box is such a good idea. I experienced trauma and anxiety in my kid two years ago when he met with an accident. We passed a huge hurdle in making him overcome it. I loved reading your article