Feeling guilty that children throughout history have had a worse life than my son

[YRGAM]

This is a bit of a strange one - hopefully I am making sense.

I have been feeling very down recently that other children have suffered today and in the past. I am very interested in history, and reading what it was like for children starving in the Warsaw Ghetto, for example, can put me under a cloud for weeks on end, to the extent that seeing and holding my son has made me burst into tears thinking about other children. This kind of feeling has only arrived recently (my son is 1).

My partner doesnt really get it when I bring it up. I guess what I'm asking is are these reactions normal, and does anyone have any advice about how I can get over it? Thanks in advance.

The flip side of this though OP is that its mums who get shit done. You can't change what's happened in the past, but you can change the future for so many children and young people in your community, whether that's fundraising for the PTA, donating to charity, making your voice heard, bringing up your own DC to be kind and gentle with everyone they meet, volunteering... mums (and very often it's older mums) are activists and change makers in every walk of life. I'm not, of course, saying people without children aren't like that, but becoming a parent rips your heart open. Getting busy is the best way to hold it together.

Are you in a position to sponsor deprived child? I can recommend SOS Children’s villages.

Thank you all for your kind words and advice, I will try some of the suggestions given in this thread. It's been helpful to know that this can be part of the journey of becoming a parent.

To some early posters who mentioned PND, I had some talks with my GP early in my son's life as it turned out I wasn't really ready for the emotions of parenthood (I am a dad not a mum so it all came at once aftee my partner gave birt!), so maybe this is an extension of those feelings.

Thank you again for your help.

No worries @nonono1

Good luck with it @YRGAM. Remember Dads can get PND as well so keep an eye on things and if your emotions start interfering with your functioning then head back to the GP.

Thank you @Cowgran