 | My son will be six next week, and is a great kid. He's smart, funny, compassionate (for a six year old anyway!). When he gets punished, or gets in trouble, he over-reacts. If you take something away from him, he offers you twice as much, and self-punishes himself. I am well aware that alot of that is just drama. however, the other night I sent him to bed about an hour early for generally being obnoxious to his brother and everyone else. This meant he couldn't go with me to the store to pick up some party things. His response was to begin to sob, and say to himself that maybe he should just kill himself. I was in the hallway and overheard, so I calmly walked into his room, and we talked about why he had said that (he didn't know), where he had heard it (he didn't remember), and did he understand what it meant (he didn't). I left the room. When he heard me getting ready to leave, he, still crying, said that he was worthless, never did anything right, and was junk. I didn't go in right away. I realize that this probably involves some manipulation on his part. But, he knows that once he is punished, it sticks, there is no talking yourself out of it. Caleb is honestly a well-behaved child. We don't have to punish him for poor behavior very often. Anyway, I went in later, and sat him on my lap, and calmed him down (at this point he was hysterical)and we talked for awhile about feelings, and that it was okay to be angry, but you have to handle it appropriately. Calling yourself names and saying horrible things about yourself isn't a good way to handle it, etc. I don't know how else I could have handled it, but I am really bothered by this. What if that's how he really feels?? Anyway, I was hoping that someone else may have had a similar experience, and be able to offer some insight. Thanks! |
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