Cade has such a tender heart. He is really thoughtful and sensitive. I love these qualities in him, yet I wonder if his sensitivity teeters to the extreme side, hindering his ability to simply enjoy life and look forward to things. Over the last year, I have noticed Cade expressing deep concerns over things that.... well, I just don't think preoccupies your average preschooler's thoughts.
For instance, this was a conversation that took place in the car today:
Cade: Mom, I'm kind of very sad right now.
Me: Why are you sad, hon?
Cade: I'm scared to drive when I'm big because I might crash.
Me: You will have lots of practice before you are allowed to drive. When you drive, you will be a very safe driver.
Cade: I'm still scared I might crash somebody. I don't want to drive when I'm big. Oh, Mom!
---
This was another conversation we had a while back:
Cade: Mom, I don't think I can be a missionary.
Me: Why's that?
Cade: Because, when I'm a missionary, I won't know where to drive. I won't know where to go.
Me: Well, when you're big you'll learn how to read maps, follow directions, and I bet you'll even have your own GPS, too.
Cade: But I think it's too hard, Mom. That will be so scary to drive. Will you come with me on my mission?
---
These are typical conversations we have, Cade and I. Yes, very run-of-the-mill, every day shoot-the-breeze-ish type topics we discuss. I fear my poor child is going to have an ulcer before he makes it to first grade. I can't believe he's really investing his emotions while thinking about this stuff.
Is this normal? I mean, I know there is a wide range of normal. I guess I am wondering if this type of behavior could indicate that we'll be dealing with anxiety issues in the future.
For instance, this was a conversation that took place in the car today:
Cade: Mom, I'm kind of very sad right now.
Me: Why are you sad, hon?
Cade: I'm scared to drive when I'm big because I might crash.
Me: You will have lots of practice before you are allowed to drive. When you drive, you will be a very safe driver.
Cade: I'm still scared I might crash somebody. I don't want to drive when I'm big. Oh, Mom!
---
This was another conversation we had a while back:
Cade: Mom, I don't think I can be a missionary.
Me: Why's that?
Cade: Because, when I'm a missionary, I won't know where to drive. I won't know where to go.
Me: Well, when you're big you'll learn how to read maps, follow directions, and I bet you'll even have your own GPS, too.
Cade: But I think it's too hard, Mom. That will be so scary to drive. Will you come with me on my mission?
---
These are typical conversations we have, Cade and I. Yes, very run-of-the-mill, every day shoot-the-breeze-ish type topics we discuss. I fear my poor child is going to have an ulcer before he makes it to first grade. I can't believe he's really investing his emotions while thinking about this stuff.
Is this normal? I mean, I know there is a wide range of normal. I guess I am wondering if this type of behavior could indicate that we'll be dealing with anxiety issues in the future.
Heaven help him should he turn into his mother.
8 comments:
Oh My Goodness, this is totally my 3 year old. He is so high strung and worried about every little thing. I still catch him crying every once in a while and when I ask him why he tells me he's thinking about Marley...we watched Marley and Me like a month ago!
A positive to this type of behavior is that if I tell him not to do something and give a valid reason for it (like he will get hurt), then he doesn't dare even think about doing it again...quite different from my 2 year old.
Maybe its a first born thing? Good luck with him! Hope you guys are doing well!
michelle that is cool
hmmm. well i was a worried child myself and I had to train myself not to vocalize all of my thoughts, and I turned out ok. well depends on who you ask right? :-)
i think one thing you could do, and what i do with my students a lot, is ask as many open ended questions as you can. instead of saying you'll be fine, ask "what makes you think driving will be scary?" sometimes it's things that children see or hear an adult say that causes such thoughts. knowing the root of his thoughts could help you understand him more. keep me posted i'll also let you know of anything i research that could help you know if this is "normal" or not.
Alan and Amber's little guy Jackson is a lot like that (he's four) He is very sensitive and will cry over the smallest things. He has been since he was just a little guy. But I am sure they will grow out of it! At least they are conscience of what they are doing and maybe that means they will think twice about their decisions when they are older (which could be a good thing!)
He is sensitive like his dad. Like father like son.
I am pretty clueless when it comes to "what's normal" for kids but all I know is that I absolutely adore Cade! Such a sweet kid and some of the things he says makes my heart melt. He makes me laugh too...i love those cadeisms! I personally don't think it's anything to worry about and just keep doing what you're doing--you're a great mom and I've learned so much from you!
I think one of my favorite things I've ever seen Cade worry out about was when Kyle told him to lick his sticky fingers.
He immediately started crying hard, real crocodile tears. As all of us turned to see what had happened (assuming something major), he's crying, "But I don't want to get any germs, and if I lick my fingers, I'll get sick!"
If my kids only had a tenth of that!
It kinda sounds like he has issues with driving? That's so sweet that he's that deep. Such a cute kid.
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