What do you say when your child comes home from school and says...

[MotherJack]

"I don't like myself very much".

Poor mite is only 5 and has just got his glasses with a +7 and +7.5 prescription. He's happy around me wearing them, and has apparently been ok at school today, but my heart just broke.

How can I help him please?

'Do you know what? sometimes I feel like that. When I do, I make a drink and have a chat with someone and we have a giggle together and then I feel better. Shall we do that now?'

for your ds. Has someone at school said something to him?

As Collision says. Plus, massive cuddles, of course.

Thanks.

He is very sensitive and has a whole host of medical problems - not many of them he knows about but he spends loads of time at hospital - it's going to end up in brain surgery in the next few months and he HATES medical intervention... so I guess he's worried about loads of things that he doesn't understand. Everything is a bit of a nightmare.

I suppose this is the straw that broke it. He says people were looking at him today. I did try to cushion it to tell him that people would look at him to see how cool his glasses were.

So sad and yet I can't cry because he'll see and I'm being all sunny and positive for him.

I know what you mean Cat. I'm all ears for other things too. He is a sensitive little soul so I do look out for clues as well as the obvious.

"That's a shame, because I like you lots" - followed by cuddles, and sitting down with drink and biscuit/chocolate to try and find the root cause.

I do like that idea Collision, the more I think about it.

I did immediately sit down with him for a cuddle and a chat but I forgot the empathy bit. I like it, thank you.

It sounds like you need a hug too. You sound like your doing a wonderful job and support him in every way. I'm sure if you continue giving him the love and support you do and not to dwell on it with him, like its not important he'll soon forget. Sorry I've not been more help

Stealth, I was straight there with that. He's just got so much on his plate that he doesn't even realise.

I'm just a bit lost with this parenting thing right now, because I feel I can't really help him.

Thanks everyone.

Do they forget Buttons? My son seems to have the memory of an elephant! I just feel there is a conspiracy against me tonight. I know it's not the case - I just feel lost.

I think they do my older 2 dd do, and my 4yr old dd who's autistic doesn't forget but it becomes like a story telling exercise for her and although incidents of bullying her upset her at the time the more she repeats the less it affects her. Its so difficult when you feel like your alone but your not there's lots of people out there who are in the same or similar situations and if you ever need to chat I'm here

Thanks Buttons. I appreciate that.

I appreciate everyone's comments.