My 6yo depressed??!

[Bambam2102]

I hope this is the right place to put this. I'm a bit of a newbie. I'm a sp to my 6 yo ds, the majority of the time we get along well. He is getting on fine at school and his teacher tells me he is popular and well liked.

The thing is just recently he has been really down on himself. Saying things like "I'm so clumsy, I'm no good at xyz, nobody likes me, I bet you hate me" and more worryingly "I wish I could just kill myself!" Obviously I reassure him that none of that is true and that he shouldn't be saying things like that as they aren't nice.

He will fly into rages when he won't listen to reason so I give him timeout until he calms down this can take a few minutes or up to an hour depending on how bad he is.

I don't know if it is connected but I broke my leg a couple of months ago and we had to spend some time with family while I was unable to do things. I'm still not a1 and on occasion I will ask him to do things for me like get me a glass or put some rubbish in the bin. Then when he gets upset he will say that I make him do everything for me and he hates living with me and would prefer to live with someone else.

I just don't know what to do for the best, I've suggested that perhaps we go and see a doctor to him and he just gets upset. Or if I try and engage him conversation about why he feels like this I just some trivial answer which I feel he only gives me to make me leave him alone.

I feel like I'm losing my little boy and that he is so unhappy living with me and I can't do anything about it. I've tried spending time with him, taking him out for the day, staying in, going to see family. Nothing I ever do is good enough and he always seems to be unhappy in one way or another.

His dad hasn't seen him for 4 years and has no contact, he doesn't ask after him or even really remember him I don't think.

Congrats if you got this far!! Sorry it's so long just at my wits end??!

He could just be really sensitive and misses you when he's not with you, perhaps when you broke your leg he felt vulnerable and was frightened you might not be around?

If you have felt worried or stressed lately could he be picking up on that?

Saying he doesn't like his life is a concern but he may mean he doesn't like school life, it could be related to perfectionism and performance pressure. Maybe he could be outwardly performing well ie hearing and understanding information intellectually but just can't process everything emotionally.

Some children resent their parents' jobs getting in the way of spending time with them, others tire of school, and the autumn term is a long one. It can be hard for them learning to be more independent and not "Mum's baby" any more.

Nothing I ever do is good enough and he always seems to be unhappy in one way or another. Well, you started by saying the majority of the time we get along well. So hang onto that thought, I am sure you will find a way to help him.

Tbh you sound as if you're saying all the right things. You are obviously a caring mum, it is a pity his father isn't playing any role in his life but don't start feeling negative about how you are coping as a lone parent.

My advice would be to contact your GP, without your son in earshot initially, perhaps s/he can suggest someone for DS to talk to professionally like a child psychologist.

Menwhile, listen to what he does share with you, however small; lots of positive reinforcement and encouragement.