6 year old says he doesn't want to be on Earth...

[LoudestRoar]

How would you handle this?
DS is quite an anxious child, gets very nervous about new things, won't stay anywhere by himself, it's like I have a shadow everywhere I go.
Anxiety and depression runs in our family, which is making me concerned.
Twice now, he's said he doesn't want to be here. Can't tell me why, just repeats himself. The last time was about 6 months ago, and then last night.
6 months ago, he got angry on a walk that I asked him to carry his scooter, and that's when he said it.
Last night, he was saying it while I was trying to get him to bed, and he wanted to go downstairs, so I think it may have been him trying to stay up, but with my family history, I want to make sure nothing escalates.
Both times, he's said the next day he no longers feels that way any more.
I'm thinking of chatting each morning and night to ask him about his happy scale (on a scale of 1-10, how happy do you feel today?)
Has anyone dealt with anything similar?

Bump

Bump x

Hey,didn't want to read and rub. Not experienced this but have always suffered from anxiety myself so I would be alert to it in my son. Has he seen a doctor at all? I would be taking him for a chat as I think early intervention with anxiety can be really useful. I was an incredibly anxious child and I do wonder what would have happened if I had some support earlier. I wish you all the best, him saying he doesn't want to be here is in response to situations where ultimately he isn't getting his own way so sounds more like a reaction to that. I would feel better about it being that than if he were to just be randomly saying it you know? X

Read and run....not rub!!

Thank you Hope
I was considering the Dr's, but worried it will scare him, bless him.

Both of mine have said similar at times. It's hard work being a human! I'm not sure what the answer is but listen and ask them about their feelings and just love them. It's most likely just lashing out when tired or stressed. Obv keep an eye on for patterns. X

Thank you both for your advice. He is back to his normal self now, so as you say, will just keep an eye.

OP, totally understandable that your mind would jump where it does with your family history.

I think it's fine to take it seriously in your own mind by keeping note and looking out for other signs, but I wonder whether immediately taking it too seriously in front of him might encourage it in the way that anything that gets a reaction out of a parent suddenly seems like something to be explored further.

Perhaps a bit of cheery "oh dear, that would be a shame. We wouldn't be able to [insert fun activities/little things your son enjoys ]" might have the effect of distracting him with nice thoughts about all the good things in life and not making too much of a big deal about a statement a 6 year old doesn't really understand?

Just a thought and I realise it would only be the first line of reaction.

All the best.

My ds said a similar thing at a similar age and so did a friend's ds. Neither have done it again in the many years since. It may be do with them entering into a new developmental stage. Try not to worry and just always be there emotionally for him.