--- In b_phobia@yahoogroups.com, "debware87" <debbie.ellis@b...>
wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I am joining as my 9 year old son has a phobia to buttons, he has
> done since he was 4 years old, I thought that it was just a faze,
> never thought there were anybody else out there with it. How do you
> manage, I have to find all clothes with out buttons, if there is an
> occasion where he must where a shirt with buttons he freezes from
> the neck up, plus a jumper over the top, plus I have to put on and
> take of the offending article.
>
> Love
> Debbie

Hi Debbie

Yes, it's very difficult.
I am button phobic but I seem to have passed on my phobia to my
daughter (Claire, also on this group)who is affected more than me.
You can buy fancy buttons and when my daughter was little I replaced
most of the buttons on her clothes with little plastic kiddies
buttons shaped like animals - ie they didn't look like buttons. That
helped a bit. Have also replaced buttons with velcro and poppers.

I don't think there is any point in forcing your son to wear buttons.
I never told my mother about my phobia as I assumed I would be told
off. I simply refused to wear some of my clothes, which also caused
difficulties as I'm sure you can imagine :-) And when you are very
young you cannot always explain your feelings very well. I'm sure you
realise that your son can't help himself, he isn't being naughty or
difficult.

Mostly you can wear clothes with zips or poppers but the problems
occur when you have to wear a particular kind of clothing, for school
or for more formal wear. Harder for men and boys, I think, when they
have to wear shirts and suits. Talk about it with your son and let
him know that other people share his feelings. He can post messages
on here if he wants :-)

Over the years I have managed to cope with button phobia - as a wife
and Mum I've had to. Still don't like them though.

Best wishes
Barbara