Ivy has a balloon in her bed

And I can't believe it!

For about two years, until a couple of months ago, Ivy had a terror of balloons. At the sight of a balloon skidding around in the next room, she would shriek and stiffen, then scream until the balloon was dealt with.

When people found out about her fear, they would ask her if she was scared because balloons can pop. After being asked this many times, Ivy started to say that she was indeed scared because they can pop. I don't think that was the cause of her fear though. She had a time of being scared of lots of similar things - balloons, those round bouncy balls with handles that you sit and bounce on, and (wait for it) my breasts. All are round bouncy (or floppy) things. She also cannot stand jelly, cooked egg, or any other bouncy wobbly food. So I hypothesise that wobbly bouncy things freak her out.

So.

About a year ago we showed up to our Monday playgroup, to be confronted by about fifty balloons that were left over from a weekend event. They scudded and twirled when I opened the door. Ivy shuddered and went into overload. Eyes rolled back, screaming, climbing up me with talons extended.

My Mum was with us that day, and she found a big rubbish bag and ran around collecting the balloons. Ivy guttered and flamed over the horror, clinging to my head, while Hazel tootled around happily. Once she had all of the balloons safely hidden, Mum disappeared for a while, then came back to mutter something dire out of the corner of her mouth. Later, she told me that she'd found a blunt steak-knife (every playgroup kitchen has these) and stabbed each one to death in the backyard. No balloon onslaught was going to make her granddaughter have a bad day!

Our friends have been very understanding, and we have attended a few balloon-free birthday parties.

Hazel has occasionally been permitted to have a balloon in the house, but it was to be played with in one room only, and only when Ivy was at the other end of the house.

What changed? I have no idea. Ivy's fear of balloons loosened up. She enjoyed a balloon when we were out somewhere - I forget where.

I found a packet of unused balloons that I had bought over a year ago, when I had thought that having balloons around might help her get through her fear. a couple of weeks ago, Ivy and Hazel asked us to blow up more and more balloons. I want a red one. I want a blue one. Orange one please. I neeeed another blue one. I need blue ones because I am a boy (that's the stuff of another post).

Our house now has a small platoon of skittering, shrinking balloons. It feels special to be so normal!

A week ago, Hazel took a balloon to bed with her. And why not! Who among us would not like to have a rubbery-smelling, bouncy, squeaky, round person in their bed?

Tonight, Ivy chose a balloon to take to bed. She found it a warm spot under the doona, and snuggled in for the night. I think she is not scared of balloons any more.