Any psychologists out there? My son has this strange but fascinating issue; and he’s had it his whole life. Ever since he was about to turn 3 years old (and I guess could comprehend the meaning of a birthday) he has hated to celebrate birthdays. He’d always cry when I mentioned that we were going to throw a party and he’d get presents. His excuse has been the same (he doesn’t cry now, he’s much older): “I don’t want to get older”. I’ve never come across or heard of any other child not wanting to celebrate his birthday or get older. I know some adults don’t like celebrating birthdays b/c it reminds them of their age, but a 3 year old? Any ideas?
2006-07-04 11:16:34 · 17 answers · asked by my30 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Maybe something happened at one of the birthdya parties that scared him> Maybe a clown or he is scared of the candles.
Does he understand what it means? Just try to get someone beside you to find out,,,,maybe a grandmaw can talk to him.
It isn't the end of the world tha he doesn't want one. One day jsut ask him to tell you when he is ready for a party.
2006-07-04 11:20:23 · answer #1 · answered by Paige 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Perhaps your child doesn't like large crowds, make he already knows that a birthday party includes lots of children his age and doesn't want to celebrate his birthday with others. Take him out to his favorite place instead of having friends over for a birthday party. This could help him relax and actually enjoy his birthday. Also, don't mention it being his birthday, tell him that you are taking him on a good behavior outing or something in that nature. In the case of buying presents, put the money that you intended on spending on his presents in a bank account and when he is old enough to spend money on his own, give him the money so he can spend it where he wants to. That way your present is long-term and it serves a purpose and won't go to waste.
2006-07-04 18:24:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I saw a little boy on America's Funniest Home Videos who sounded so sincere at his preschool graduation that cried a little because they asked all the kids to say what they wanted to be when they grow up. He whimpered and said he never wanted to. Likely he loves the feeling of being small or be taken care of with love and gentleness; able to be picked up, hugged, coddled, et cetera... I used to insist being picked up and truth be told one big reason I married my husband is because he could pick me up (I'm a tall woman). I would NOT force him to celebrate his birthday. His uniqueness makes him so special. Also, maybe he doesn't like the idea of being the center of everything for one day.
2006-07-04 18:22:59 · answer #3 · answered by Sleek 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My three year old told me last week that he was NOT going to grow up, and was in fact going to crawl back inside of me in order to prevent it.
With age comes responiblity, even if they are small ones, they appear larger than life to a child.They are expected to do so much more, life, as a baby, must seem pretty easy.
I agree with many of the answers focusing on " hating to be the center of attention" perhaps your son is just shy, my son is, but as they say, this is more than likely a dreaded phase. [ i hate hearing myself say that, it sounds so condesending- it's not meant to]
In my case, I try not to push things, even if they are fun things, too much, agree with him that getting older can be rough, but stress the benifits of growing. . . let him make his choices ( concerning b-day parties) and then, perhaps he will see that as he gets older, people value his choices more, a definite plus!
Okay enough rambling- best of luck!
2006-07-04 18:35:23 · answer #4 · answered by jkautt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Except who he is.Don't make a big fuss about it.He made not like all that attention.He made out grow this behavior.If he don't look at it this way.You will save lots of money with him.He made be the child it don't take a lot to make him happy.I'm quite sure many parent would like our child to be that way.Many parent are crying because there child is ungreatful.Enjoy while you can.You are bless and don't realize it.P.S. There nothing wrong with your child.He donot need to be check out.Leave him along,he normal.
2006-07-04 18:31:42 · answer #5 · answered by 40something 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is gonna sound wierd but I would try hypnosis/past life regression. It sounds to me like something bad may have happened on or near a birthday in a past life......please dont be offended, In my religion its common to talk about past lives for future healing.
2006-07-04 18:27:30 · answer #6 · answered by Lotus 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My three year old also did that but i got her use to partys just by skipping the singing and all that went straight to the eating and waited until everyone left for her to open her gifts made her less nervous and she loved it
2006-07-04 18:22:06 · answer #7 · answered by jessica b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of that before, you should go to a legitimate psychologist to find out why. Good luck.
2006-07-04 18:21:09 · answer #8 · answered by heidielizabeth69 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he has low self estem,and feels celebrating his life is a false display of emotions.Children are very in tune and aware of how others feel about them.
2006-07-04 19:01:19 · answer #9 · answered by christina p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He must of gotten the idea from somewhere or from someone that getting older isn't a good thing.
2006-07-04 18:20:22 · answer #10 · answered by thirtytwo_characters_2_work_with 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋