DS1 (8) very sensitive, normal or not?

[edwardcullensotherwoman]

DS1 turned 8 earlier in the year. He seems to be very sensitive, which I know isn't necessarily a bad thing, but he cries over the slightest of things. It's probably been the past year or so it's got worse. Is this an age thing?

Examples of things he gets upset over are his sister getting upstairs before him at bedtime, having to leave the house when he's playing a game/watching a video, having to turn off game/video at bedtime (despite 15 min warning), and generally anything that he doesn't want to do. Also, the other night I was zipping up DD (4) onesie and caught her tummy; she said ouch and told me off for hurting her tummy. 5 seconds later DH almost stepped on DS foot and he cried for 5 mins!

What can we do to reduce the tears?? I'm afraid he'll start to be teased as he gets older for being a crybaby so I want to toughen him up, but I also don't want to make him think he's not allowed to cry at all - id just like to help him get a healthy grip on his emotions.

[VioletBam]

I don't think it's that unusual to be honest. My younger DD is 8 and one of her best friends is a boy...he's also quite prone to an emotional reaction...the way his mum sees it is that it's better than getting angry.

Is he over tired do you think? This is the most common time of year for them to get a bit unreasonable...school year is ending etc. Perhaps he just needs a break.

[user1468157973]

I'm no expert, but are you sure this is geniune sensitivity, or is this attention seeking. Does your DS use 'tears' as a way of getting his own way, or does he geniunely seem to get upset?