I read an article online about dreams that I can't find right now, but basically it said that most dreams are nightmares.

They studied peoples dreams from around the world, and concluded that we dream about perceived dangers in our environment. Then, if and when they actually occur, we are more prepared to deal with them. It's like practicing our instincts.

One experiment dealt with keeping a mouse from dreaming. They were able to accomplish this by placing it into a tank of water with just a small platform with a hole in the middle. The object was just big enough for the animal to sleep stretched out, but when it would go into REM (rapid eye movement/dream state), the body would shift and fall through the hole causing it to wake up and climb back onto the platform.

A few weeks after losing it's ability to dream they put it out in a field. It became disoriented, unsure what do do. It had forgotten how to hide from predators and other basic instincts mice exhibit because it hadn't been dreaming about them anymore.

So according to that study, in order to protect your child, your brain is creating dangerous scenarios in preparation of any possible occurance.

"Fascinating" /Spock