Thanks Barbara, in fact Freya won't be going to school as we are
educating at home so at least we don't have to deal with quite the
same scenario. I think I will attempt to find some help for her, to
see if it can be overcome as it does cause social problems, e.g.
inability to eat tea at a friend's house the other day.
I think you're right that coping strategies would be the most
practical way to go.
Will give it all a bit more thought and look around at what kind of
help is available.
Ali


--- In b_phobia@yahoogroups.com, "wilks286" <wilks286@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Ali
>
> Do have a look at message 153 which is my reply to another mother with
> a similar problem. Maybe something in that will be a little help.
> I wouldn't advise asking visitors not to wear buttons. The problem is
> that she will soon be at school and coming into more contact with
> button-wearers and to a certain extent she is going to have to learn
> to cope with that. I would talk to her about it. Tell her that you
> understand that she doesn't like buttons (perhaps even tell her that
> other people feel the same way) but she has to understand that some
> people DO like them and want to wear them.
>
> It might be useful to find professional help for her if you can. Even
> if she continues to dislike buttons for the rest of her life (like me)
> there may be strategies that help her deal with a life full of button-
> lovers.
>
> Good luck and do let us know how you get on.
> If anyone has any success in beating this weird phobia we would all
> love to know :-)
>
> Barbara
>