For the Child Who Is Scared to Be Alone in the Dark

Four lines you can say out loud tonight. Word for word. Free to save.

What to say

1. The light goes off at eight. The nightlight stays on all night.

2. The dark is real to you, even when I cannot see anything in it.

3. I sit on your floor for two minutes, then I check on you at nine and again at ten.

4. If you wake up, the nightlight is still on and my door is open. You can come in.

When to use it

This is for the moment it actually goes wrong — not the calm version you rehearse in the car. Pick one line. Say it once. Then stop talking and wait three seconds. If they push back, repeat the same line, not a new one. Say the same thing for five nights before you decide it doesn't work.