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TOPIC: Drama Prone Sons

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krellpw

Drama Prone Sons
2 Years, 4 Months ago

I'm curious, I've got a 5 1/2 year old son who no matter what the physical injury/inconvenience to his person just starts his reaction at defcon 1 and dials backwards.

I mean, if he smashes his toes in the floor doing a dance, he screams. If he bumps his funny bone on the couch walking by, he screams. If he gets an eyelash in his eye, he screams.

He wasn't always this way. He used to provide pretty "understandable/justifiable" responses to pain in my opinion.

I guess you could make a case for "well he's certainly got our attention." His mother and I definitely come running when we hear the initial cries. But we're both very careful to gauge the situation reasonably. You slipped in the kitchen? Ok, get up. Finish what you were doing. Don't forget to wipe up the water that you spilled when you fell, too.

You banged your elbow? Sorry to hear that. Can you still move it? Ok, go to the freezer and get your Lightning McQueen Ice Pack and sit with that for a few minutes. If you want to sit quietly with me while you ice your elbow that's fine. Need a hug? Sure.

Anyone else have a child go through a phase like this? Thoughts/tips? Lately, we've introduced and have been reinforcing the story of the little boy that cried wolf.

Would love suggestions.

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Daddy Brad

Re:Drama Prone Sons
2 Years, 4 Months ago

My oldest went through a similar phase and it drove me crazy. After repeated tellings of the story of the Boy Who Cried Wolf and lot's of ignoring obviously miniscule injury snot slinging meltdowns, he finally came around and now reacts fairly appropriately to pain. Your reasonable guage of the situation is key, I made a mistake of appearing rather callous after an actual painful injury and it tore me up. As i recollect the phase lasted 8 or 9 months.

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krellpw

Re:Drama Prone Sons
2 Years, 4 Months ago

Thanks for the reply. Nice to know mine's not the only one out there going through this. I can see how misdiagnosing a truly painful injury would weigh heavily on the parent. I suspect that's why I automatically come running first.

8 to 9 months eh? Poor kid's gonna be spending quite a bit of time alone in his room "crying it out/off." Shame, I'm gonna miss him. Other than this he's really good company.