Bedtime Anxiety

These short stories are meant to be listened to before bedtime to help children relax and transition into a restful sleep. These stories combine the practices of psychotherapy and meditation, with the creativity of storytelling to keep children engaged. Meditation is a Buddhist practice used for centuries, which involves becoming aware of one's physical sensations and state of mind. This practice in mindfulness allows for calmness to overcome anxieties and restlessness.

Part of Mary Fern's best-selling Bedtime Series these books are specially designed to help calm worried and anxious children. Many children do not like the dark, irrational fears can take hold of them at bedtime and being left alone can become an anxious time for them. No one really knows what sparks off these feelings of insecurity at night time. They can be triggered by so many different things.

What do we do when we can't fall asleep? The child in this story has racing thoughts—funny, silly, and scary—that are running on a cycle they can't stop. It's only when they begin to think to themselves: Do any of these thoughts have merit? Am I in any danger right here and now? that they are finally able to settle down. This lovely picture book is a simple but complex message about acknowledging anxiety without succumbing to it that will appeal to so many little ones (and adults) out there who find that nighttime is when their thoughts carry the most weight.

A Message in the Moon was inspired by Downey’s own story of losing her mother when she was just ten years old and the comfort her father brought her. Years later, when Downey left home for college, her father pointed to the full moon and told her, "Whenever you feel alone, always look into the night sky, and you’ll be reminded of how much I love you. I’ll leave a message for you in the moon.” That simple comfort remains with Downey today, and now she is passing it on to parents and children alike.

Brave Mee and the Variety Show of Anxiety follows Mee, a loveable and adorable child, on a visual adventure on an anxiety inducing game show. Mee must overcome the anxiety and fear in order to win what is behind the curtains and the bonus round, some of the lost happiness. The story is designed to encourage the listener to find creative ways to combat anxiety. It highlights the ability we all have, to overcome our fears and anxieties.

Kat is excited to sleep in her own room—the big girl room—for the very first time. But her younger sister, Tina, is nervous to sleep in their old room without her. So Kat comes up with a plan: she'll give all of her stuffed animals to her younger sister, and every time Tina gets scared, she should hold them close and be reminded of all the wonderful things each animal represents: bravery, creativity, love, and imagination. But that night, as a storm thunders outside their windows, it turns out that the big girl room can feel a bit lonely. And Kat might be the one who needs the extra support.