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Mama's Boy?
The Key to Understanding Your Emotional Son
By Gwen Morrison
For a pre-adolescent boy, feeling masculine is very important. Often it helps for him to have contact with an older boy (sibling, cousin or big brother) who can help with "style" issues as well as help develop specific interests.
"Looking for 'challenges' that a child can face is helpful," Dr. Slater says. "We must teach the child how to experience upsetting feelings without succumbing to them. As kids master challenging experiences, they can draw on the strength derived from these experiences."
Dr. Slater reminds parents that it is important not to make their son feel bad about being sensitive. Instead, tell them how much of an asset sensitivity can, and will, be if they learn how to harness their feelings.
"I try to get him to stop and breathe when I see he is about to cry about something he can't find or something someone said to him," Elliot says. "I know he has such a soft heart that sometimes he just gets carried away. He worries far too much, and I remind him that most things are not THAT monumental that it can't be [handled without] getting too upset right away."
If you encourage your child's individuality while introducing him to new things that challenge his 'norm.' It will help to build sensitivity muscles so that he can use them in a meaningful way. Work with your child in order to help him face the challenges that will come as he matures. Teach coping strategies, but cherish the sensitivity that makes him who he is.