"If the dream is a translation of waking life, waking life is also a translation of the dream."  - Rene Magritte

Dear Lauri,

Recently I've been having vivid dreams about my kids being in trouble, i.e. kidnapped or hurt in some way and I am unable to help them. Is this a common dream and does it interpret to mean something?  - Kriss 37, Kenosha, WI

Lauri: Dreaming that your children are hurt or kidnapped is VERY common. You'll find you get the kidnapping dream when you feel life is pulling your little munchkin away from you. For example, when you don't see them enough because you are working too much or when they start pulling away simply because they are getting older. When we resist how fast time goes and how much they grow, we get the kidnapping dream. As far as your children getting hurt, well, the specifics in the dream make a difference as to the meaning. However, physical pain in a dream is usually connected to emotional pain in waking life. You may get that dream when your child is dealing with a painful waking life situation... or perhaps even when YOU are the one feeling emotional pain for your child. These dreams are in no way a warning that something terrible going to happen but rather are a reflection of your deep love for them and the pain you experience watching them grow so darn fast!!! 

Kriss replies: Thank you. This response has been very helpful. My children are 11 and 15. Both are going through important life changes, ex.  My son is entering middle school and my daughter is becoming a woman!