Overcoming a Phobia

Balloons 🎈

They’re pretty and fun for most people, BUT...

My son has a balloon phobia—is there a a medical term for that? I’ll Google it in a bit.

His eyes fill with horror whenever he saw one at parties and celebrations. He can’t remember where it all began, just that he detests them. The sound/smell and worst of all, the popping!

When planning my daughter’s Quinceañera, he swore he’d never go if we decorated with balloons. That didn’t stop us from having balloons at the hall AND in the 16 passenger van I rented to transport my kids and “court” through the craziness of that day!

My children have been avid photographers since they were seven and nine years old. I browbeat them to learn during my blogging years. This came in handy for the Quinceañera. I packed all the kids, water, snacks, jumbo balloons filled with glitter, and the five foot "1" and "5" balloons and headed to the park to take pictures... oh, my son was having a COW 🐮

As soon as I unloaded ALL the teens and balloons from the massive van, the #1 balloon was somehow popped by a low, hanging beach 😑

We finished our shoot, everyone was more relaxed and finally having fun! I somehow had enough driving skills to maneuver the giant van through a VERY tight McDonalds drive thru. Just as I finished ordering the 13 happy meals and extra burgers, BAMMM!! One of the jumbo confetti balloons popped from being squished between the already tight seats. My son's eyes popped out of his head, and I swear I saw his heart jump out of his chest—the balloon happened to between my driver seat and his passenger seat.

We all broke down laughing to tears 🤣 He couldn’t resist but join in! I think one of the kids caught it on video and will share it if I get it.

From this day (May 11, 2019) forward, my son no longer had the intense fear. Sure, he rather NOT be near a balloon, but he’s no longer running away from confronting them 🙌🏽

May he attend more parties and events without crippling fear and finally allow more JOY in to his life! 🎈

As promised, I Googled and:

The fear of balloons is called “Globophobia”