My four-year old tells me that he's "yucky" and once during disciplining him, he told me that he wanted to "be lost". Should I worry about this?
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Answers
Thank you....Yes, I speak w/him constantly about his feelings (I have an Ma in Psych) and I told him that I would be so sad and scared if he would get lost and that I would look forever to find him; I tend to notice that he says that he's yucky when I am disciplining him...I end up holding him very tightly and letting him cry it out in my arms...and then he seems to be fine....and we talk about working on using a different way to express how he feels....
I would definitely talk to him first and foremost. He needs to know that he is not yucky and that he shouldnt be lost.
It would be nice of course, for you to know, why he is feeling this way. So one of the best things to do is to ask. Make him understand that you will not make him be lost and you love and care for him.
Make sure he understands he is not yucky. He might of just heard this around the house or on TV and is repeating it--if it is one time or two--or he may really feel this way. Depending on how many times he has said this, I would vary my degree of worry. However, I would at least begin by asking him about it.
I would not recommend a psychologist right away, unless he has been doing this for awhile and you feel that you cant handle it or it is too severe.
Best,
Clyde
It depends. How long has he been feeling and expressing himself this way? Yes, it's enough to have a talk with him. Make sure the environment is a safe one for him, and not have the air of punishment... maybe make ice cream or something while you talk?
He needs to know, if it's true, that he can tell you anything and you won't get "angry" at him, but that it's your job to help him with things that trouble him...
If you don't feel comfortable doing this, then why not have him see a child psychologist. It might be something basic and only take a session or two.
Good wishes
drjean