My daughter was playing with the cat and being a little rough. I told her to be nice to the cat or we'd have to get rid of it. This cat is so important to her. Actually all of us. I should have never said it.
But what she said back shocked me.
She said she would just die if we got rid of Belle. She said if we get rid of her she would take a pencil and push it into her stomach.
How do you react to that? I can't imagine thinking like that at 6. should I be worried?
2006-08-19 12:45:36 · 21 answers · asked by Faith 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I would ask her to talk a bit more about what she meant by that, and see where things go from there. You could tell her that what you heard her say concerned you, and that you wanted to find out more.
You might also explain to her that it is important for her to be gentle with the cat.
I might also use this as a teaching point...that even adults say things that they don't necessarily mean, and it is important to come back to those things and very OK to correct onself. You can demonstrate that by telling her that you did not intend on getting rid of Belle. Perhaps that was her way of countering an "extreme answer," by offering one of her own.
Good luck!
2006-08-19 16:59:22 · answer #1 · answered by ... 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would ask her where she got an idea such as that.
Could it be she heard it from a mate at school? Maybe from tv?
I would sit down with her and discuss the said statement and explain to her that you found it disturbing. Ask her if she realises the ramifications of her statement.
Tell her that her family would be very upset if she did something like that. Does she know about the whole life and death cycle?
Im not sure myself how to react to a statement like that coming from my child but I would definatly keep a closer eye on her behaviour and talk to her as much as you can to find out where this idea came from.
It could just be a one time thing and she doesnt realise what exactly she is saying.. just repeating what she heard from some where... But if it continues I would consider maybe going to a councelor.
2006-08-19 19:58:11 · answer #2 · answered by timberleigh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just say "Well I guess from now on you'll treat Belle nicely, won't you?" At that age children don't always understand the depth of the things they say. She could have heard someone else say it. Last year at 6 yrs old my son's favorite saying was "I'm going to kill you" whenever he got pissed off. It doesn't mean they will do it. Those are the only words they can put together to voice their anger. If it becomes a regular thing you will just have to explain that what is being said is inappropriate and help her find another more appropriate way to express her anger.
2006-08-19 19:55:47 · answer #3 · answered by nimopiba 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Reassure her with love and cut down on the video games ( if she playes them ) .I think she was shocked by what she heard from you and that was her way of shocking you . I wouldn't put a lot of stock in what she said-unless it is a habit with her . Explain why it is important to be gentle with living things .On the off-chance that something could be bothering her that you are unaware of - keep an extra eye and ear on her . Some kids act out when things bother them-but I wouldn't make a big deal if it's only one incident .
2006-08-19 19:58:29 · answer #4 · answered by missmayzie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would of taken it as a direct threat to me as a parent. You threaten her to get rid of something she loves. Therefore, she would do the same to you if you take something away from her. To take something away from you as a parent, Herself. She is placing her anger in the open and expressing she didn't not like that fact that you said you will get rid of her cat. Every child needs a pet to love. They love unconditionally, they never fight, and the pet is never upset with her. That cat is probably her best friend because she finds peace in the cat. The cat to her is always a happy place to be and you threaten to get rid of her happy place. Which is probably what gets her thru her day when things are tough.
2006-08-19 20:04:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be worried for that things if I'd listened them. Maybe the cause of that what your daughters said, is a reaction that she doesn't understand at all. Ask her why she told it? Try to know what's the origin of that ideas. Possibly it's a bad influence from TV. Good Luck.
2006-08-19 19:55:10 · answer #6 · answered by Samy David 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should talk to your child about death. have her imagine what she could do in the future and then say that if she killed herself then she wouldn't be able to do any of those things. if that doesn't work, tell her how sad everyone would be if she died. also, try not to let her watch too much violence. that seems to be a cause for what children say. small children are like sponges, and if they see something, they will try to mimic it.
about her being mean to the cat. this is a suggestion.
tell her to imagine that someone is being mean to her. now, ask her how she feels. that should work.
2006-08-19 19:57:54 · answer #7 · answered by sawdust 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Id be shocked, and worried as well. Especially since the world and society is worse than when we grew up. I think Id just tell her how upset that action would make me! Some how explain how such an act is devastating, so she can understand to as much as she could at that age.
2006-08-19 19:53:22 · answer #8 · answered by Angel 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It sounds to me like she is just being a drama queen. Kids today aren't like we were when we were kids. They see so much on television and hear so much at school and just around other people in general. They don't stay as innocent as long as we did as children.
2006-08-19 19:52:22 · answer #9 · answered by AsianPersuasion :) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would lovingly tell her that you would never never NEVER want to see her push a pencil in to her stomach, and ask her why she thought that? I would not be worried however,..I would just ask her where she got that from..then, I would tell her,...that lots of people get animals,...but sometimes they even run away to try to find their mommys and daddys...and then if she gets upset, ask her if she would want them to be sad? It is going to be a touchy subject, but if she is threatening things like that,...she may just be trying to blackmail you in to making sure that she keeps kitty..but you should ask her why would she do that? just to see what she says...and of course, how much you love her and she is to NEVER do anything like that..or talk like that ...we woulda got spanked in our day LOL
2006-08-19 20:02:05 · answer #10 · answered by MotherKittyKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋