Freud_Burlingham_1943_War_and_Children_k_text

omber had, in her conception, behaved as shehad known her parents to behave often; he hadthreatened punishment, had frightened her, butin the end had not carried out the threat.The night raid over the Country House producedan anxiety attack on John, six and ahalf years old. He is a typical example ofanxiousness in a child due to the nervousnessof the mother. His mother had developed anxietystates during the raids, had never goneto bed while an alarm lasted, had stood at thedoor trembling and insisted on the child's notsleeping either. John, then five years old, hadto get dressed, to hold her hand and to standnext to her. At the time he developed extremenervousness and bed wetting. He had quicklyimproved after separation from his mother andnot shown any unusual behavior in raids.Now after an interval of more than 18months he has attacks of anxiety which definitelyresemble those of his mother in all details.During the last raid, he woke up, wasfrightened, trembled and looked pale.He said: "I don't like bombs, why dothey drop bombs? Where are the children?"He was taken out of bed and shown the children."Where is Irene? Is Bertie in bed, IsGeorgie asleep? I want to see him!" Whenback in bed he suddenly whispered: "Is bigJohn still alive?"179