Talk about being a bad mom

[Mickey Fliers]

Here is the condensed version of events from this morning.

DS8 was having a little attitude with his younger brothers (6 and 3) and he finally said "I wish I didn't have any brothers". At first I sent him to his room, but the more I thought about it, I thought I should have a "Dr. Phil" moment and validate his feelings.

So, I called him back to me and had a talk with him. I told him "I know it is hard being the oldest", blah, blah, blah "treat others like you want to be treated", etc. "Family is forever", "Mommy and Daddy aren't going to be on this earth forever and your brothers will be your best friends.".

Well, a few minutes later, I can hear him in his room and he is bawling his eyes out. I hug him and ask him what is wrong and he say "you and daddy aren't going to be on earth forever".

Now I feel just awful. I am fairly certain that I have just scarred him for life, or for at least the next few months anyway. Poor little man. Not sure how I can undo this, but I am not going to win any "Great Mommy" awards today.

Thanks for listening (or reading, as it were)

 

[Poohgirl]

Sorry that didn't go so well. I feel for you. My two sons, 7,9 well for lack of a better term pretty much hate each other. Have since day 1. I could not even tell you how many times I have heard the "I wish my brother was never born" mantra. They are a bit over a year apart, I thought they would be close. I have no real advice for you just

 

[In a hurry]

He is 8, and he knows people die. A sweet reminder will not scar him. So, ease up on yourself. What you said was true, and he is allowed to react, and adjust to the idea.

Have a better day!

 

[FreshTressa]

Awww..it is sweet of him though!

 

[DMickey28]

My parents used to say that to my brother and I. While my parents are still young, I dread the thought of the day they aren't here. What you said will certainly not scar him for life.. it's just a fact of life...

Don't worry!! You did good... I like the Dr. Phil moment.

 

[Sandy V.]

You aren't a bad mom at all. Your heart was in the right place. And as In a Hurry said, he's already aware that people die - you just made him relate that fact a little closer to home.

I have said "Someday your father and I will be dead and you two will only have each other" quite often to my teens when I am frustrated with their near-constant bickering. They look at me like I've got two heads. When DD heads off to college next year, DS won't have anyone left to spar with!!