Too Sensitive?

[kokonutmama]

Sometimes when I tell Kody that something he did had a negative effect on someone else and the poor thing gets so upset.  for example: yesterday at teh park he purposfully stepped on another little boy's sand mountain (he'd seen someone else do it first) and I told him in a way that I thought was pretty non-judgemental that the other boy had worked hard on that and didn't seem happy that Kody had messed up his mountain.  His little face just crumpled and he hid his face in my neck.  Once I suggested he help the other boy rebuild it was all OK, but, what if the other boy hadn't been so laid back about it?  Other episodes have involved squashed bugs (already dead, but still) accidental breakages, and things like that.  I've seen Kody get upset when another kid is crying even if he had nothing to do with it.  Sure, of course I'm proud that my son is so compassionate, but I worry that he'll suffer for being TOO sensititve.  (I was too sensitive as a kid, and somewhat as an adult, that's I guess why I worry so much about it)  thoughts? solutions? experiences?

[jnezmama02]

I don't have any advice, but Jessie was/is like this.  Jessie still cries about half the time when Emily is upset...almost always does if Emily gets significantly hurt...the other half of the time, she just hides under a blanket until everything is calmed down. I think it's just a personality quirk and I'm not really sure that much can be done about it at this age. It does get better as they get older and can understand the world more, but it's still a signficant stress on them to see others upset.  With Jessie, I just explain things and tell her it will be ok. It usually takes a few minutes to calm her down, but then she's fine.

[moogie]

I think its fantastic that he understands that he has done something inappropriate.  It might be tough for you to see him upset but maybe he isn't being too sensitive at all.  He's probably recognising what happened and inwardly reflecting on the situation, and then wanting to feel reassured by you.  Are you going by the "How to talk so kids will listen" book.  I remember you mentioned that a while ago.  I just started reading "how to talk so kids will learn" by the same author.

[kokonutmama]

hmm, I dont' know what 'how to talk' has to say on the subject.