My ds(10, yr5) has very sensitive soul. He can't watch sad films or read sad story without crying. He shows great concern when he sees the baby crying.
Very emotional, cried when he saw the beautiful sunset or heard organ music in the church. He always gives me cuddle when he sees me hurt.
I thought it was a great personality to have.
Yesterday, we are playing, and I fake cried. He knew it was a fake cry. Still, he had tear in his eyes, which made me really worried.
I asked him, if he knew I was fake crying, and he said yes. But he said he just couldn't cope with seeing someone's sad face.
We talked about in depth, and I found out, that even he knew the other person was faking, he just couldn't cope with seeing someone cry, or show distress, and feels like he is suffocating, and his heart being squashed.
This is too extreme isn't it?
Tbh, he had many occasions in the past he was taken for mug.
At school disco, he has given money to a girl who said she wants something but cannot buy because she had no more money and she was really sad, after spending all.
He has given his favorite unused eraser to a boy because he really wanted it and keep pleading and told him that his parents would never get it for him etc, and (fake)cried.
He understands it's not real sadness/cry. But he still says he can't say no to those people. He says he just cannot cope with seeing other peoples's sad face, even he knew they are faking it.
Sorry for the long post. But I am utterly lost about what to do. I always loved his sympathy and kind nature, but I feel like he will be used by others if he doesn't change.
Is there anything that I can do to help him? He is very academic, and mature in one sense(has many life threatening health issues) but immature in other, and has some traits of ASD/ADHD.
I am totally feel lost at the moment....Any advice greatly appreciated.