Dreams about nature

I have a lot of dreams that involve coyotes, actually to be more precise I have a lot of nightmares about coyotes. I know that I'm leary of coyotes because they have had a rising number of them becoming habitauted to people and as a result trying to 'take' small children like my own. Also I grew up on a ranch where my family and I seemed to have a totally different take on coyotes then the rest of the world. My family views their habits closer to that of a wolf because of our experiences with them especially during calving time.

In any case the coyotes in my nightmares are always alone and they are either trying to attack me or are trying to steal my child. I'm not entirely sure what to think of the coyotes presence in my nightmares, though I have begun to wonder if they don't represent my fear of having my child stolen or having something bad happen to my child.

Ideas, Insight?

Hi wommie. I also read your other post about nightmares. I don't have children, and I'm sure you have heard this before, but I think since you had a child less than a year ago it's probably hormones plus lack of sleep from having to take care of a baby.

The dreams about coyotes attacking you or stealing your child seem to have to do with the natural instinct of you as your mother to want to protect your young. Because you have personal experience with coyotes doing this, seeing them attacking calves, your dreams are about coyotes.

I think avoiding sleep to avoid the dreams might make it worse, because of the extra stress from the lack of sleep.

Can you try repeating to yourself during the day and before you go to sleep that they're only dreams and the coyotes can't hurt you or your baby. In your dreams, do you fight the coyotes? Maybe before you go to sleep you can imagine having some kind of weapon with you so you can fight them off.

Have you had recurring nightmares before in your life, or did it only happen after the birth of your child? (Is this your first child?)

Have you suffered from post partum depression?

Are you in a situation in waking life where there is a real danger of your child being taken or hurt? If you have a legitimate concern, then you should think about how you can deal with it so it doesn't cause you problems at night.

Thanks I will defiantly give it a tryyour recommendations a try.

I've had recurring nightmares as long I can remember (I have memories from a year old on).

As for post partum depression I was never treated for it but I did display a lot of the symptoms like:
*Extreme concern and worry about the baby
*Anxiety
*Irritability
*Difficulty concentrating or remembering
*Lethargy or extreme fatigue
*Loss of interest in hobbies or other usual activities
There's more but I think that narrates my point decently enough.

Though I'm not in any real danger of having my child taken away. So I think you're right about my maternal instincts just givin'er heck and well ya the hormones. I know the hormonal inbalance plays shuffle board with the rest of my body so why should it skip my mind.

Thanks,
Wommie

Re post-partum depression - just because you weren't in danger of having your child taken away doesn't mean you have to suffer.

If you've had recurring nightmares since you were a child, maybe there is something else going on that you should have checked out by a doctor. You could have a medical problem that causes you to have nightmares. For example, there is a form of epilepsy that causes people to have nightmares. Or there could be another medical problem.