Question
My question is about my 7yo son. In the last 1-2 months he has had a tendency to break into tears about everything that doesn’t go his way like it’s the end of the world. Today he came home and said that he wants a pet. I told him that this is a big decision and we can discuss it and maybe in the future we can do it; he started to cry. Then he asked if he could go catch a lizard and keep it. I said yes, but only for a day and then we are going to let it go ok? We can’t keep it longer because since it is a wild animal, it might die. Again, uncontrollable sad crying. What’s up with this? We used to do this with the lizard before, for example, we would catch them and keep them for a few hours and release them. Why does he have to burst into tears for everything now? Also when he is at a playdate and feels the friends are not playing with him, he cries right away. I feel it is almost like he is more overwhelmed now than before….Thank you!!!
Answer
Your son leans on anxious; the crying is a manifestation of his anxious responses and of him continuing to build his emotional tolerance and intelligence. He is young and it seems like disappointment is the feeling he is currently learning to manage and practice.
Another great space for reflection can be in the car or at a meal together but then everyone shares, which can be great for kids who have a hard time speaking.