Empathy:
The ability to share and understand the feelings of others.
This kid has it:
Heck, this kid probably has it:
This kid, though?
He is currently struggling with it:
He is currently struggling with it:
I don't know why.
Why does he lack empathy???
It's a bit of a problem.
So, it's made me think of ways to make him more empathetic.
So far my attempts aren't working.
However...
He came home from school a couple days ago in a terrible mood - a combination of grumpy and sad.
I picked at him and picked at encouraged him to talk until he finally burst in to tears and said:
"I'm just sick of always being picked last in football. Why am I so bad at it?"
Wow.
I don't mind being picked last but when it happens to your kid - whew, it's a bad feeing.
But...the empathy!
We need the empathy.
Maybe that's the kind of thing that will help promote it.
"Does it have to be so hard?"
What about it people?
How can I help promote empathy in him?
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Jane Can Parent
Practice throwing and catching with him in the yard MOM, you can youtube the proper form if needed, also get him running backwards. I'm missing the point aren't I?
ReplyDeleteYou are missing the point but he does need to be better at football. It's kind of a basic skill.
Deletemissing what point? i think that is exactly the point. I think James and Atticus may be just alike... i blame the little brothers on the older brothers lack of empathy!
ReplyDeleteAnon - It's time for you to learn how to comment with out it being anon. Your cousin Eric figured it out. You can too.
Delete; )
Next time he's not feeling empathy, remind him about being picked last in football or other times he's sad and upset.
ReplyDeleteAlso, while riding in the car, make up scenarios similar to what he needs to work on in your quest for him to have empathy and discuss the pros and cons of different ways of responding to the situation.
And, if all else fails, teach him WWJD and get him something to carry to remind him that he needs to remember to be nice.