hold breath
turn off the light
three quick hops to the rug beside the bed
(remember to count
one..two..three)
take a breath
leap from rug
into center of bed
(be sure not to touch the floor)
stuffed animals close on each side
cover pulled up
hold breath
listen
.
.
.
take a breath – listen
.
.
.
(no shuffling noises from under the bed)
(no taps or knocks)
make sure not to put hands or feet
out from the covers
squeeze eyes tight
sleep
*** This is for the dVerse prompt for April 13. There was a time when I was 8 or 9 when I became afraid of the monsters under my bed. I developed this routine to put myself to bed in order to keep the monsters from reaching out and grabbing me. It worked.
thecourseofourseasons 
loved this! when I was little, I used to take a running leap from the door of the bedroom to the middle of my bed and then cover my head with the covers – and I couldn’t stand to have the closet door open even just a little 🙂
Obviously the routine worked – it kept the monsters away, didn’t it?
Nancy
I like this! It’s fun and dare I say, practical? I too decided to write about how to combat monsters. Read about it here: http://writingsbycharleen.blogspot.com/2013/04/two-proven-ways-to-kill-monster.html
A plan is always a good strategy to keep the monsters away. 😉
Same…same…I had nightmares too but quickly outgrew them during my teens when I realized that nothing is happening ~ Very good one ~
Sure, don’t wake those creatures up and rile them. I bet if the floor wasn’t so cold it wouldn’t be so frightening to touch. *shivers* Nice (scary) recollection from childhood.
Thanks – it was funny to remember doing this- and as far as the floor – for some reason it was that the rug was somehow safe and the floor was open territory – I don’t know – how do children think of these things? smiles
haha…yeah that is about it…smiles….and having those stuffed animals def helps…they keep watch through the night for us…their eyes never closing…
they do become talismen somehow – little cuddly protectors from harm – thanks, Brian : ) K
smiles…that’s a good instruction to keep monsters at bay..i think you should print one for every kid out there..smiles
Isn’t it funny what children can conjure up? Thanks, Claudia – K