Have you ever cried in front of your child?

@youless (112091)
Guangzhou, China
May 14, 2008 1:21am CST
I try to avoid it. But last night when I watched the news about the earthquake in Sichuan, I felt very sad to it. The scene was a woman waited for her dad to be rescued from the collapsed building. However, her dad was already dead. I was tearful to see it. We all have our family. Although one day they will leave us and this is the life. But at least I hope they can leave in peace, without any pains and regrets. At that time my son was nearby me. He was too little to understand it. As such a little child, he continuously asked me many questions about the earthquake. I tried not to shed tears and I explained this disaster to him.
10 people like this
30 responses
@BYOLA2871 (4371)
• South Africa
17 May 08
well,i have almost done that before when i lost my uncle who was a treasure within the family ,he was a great ideologist a man of great understaning and wisdom,he never sees a hopeless person but people who needs to be given a chance a man who influenced so many to succeed.i screamed when i got a call that he was no more but i suddenly realize i was in the presence of the kids so i went inside,and cried my heart out
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
18 May 08
I am so sorry to hear that. Your uncle would be happy to know it in the heaven.
1 person likes this
@BYOLA2871 (4371)
• South Africa
19 May 08
well,thanks its been some years now but i still remember him with fond memories.
2 people like this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
16 May 08
Hi youless! I am not an expert on parenting my dear friend but i think there is nothing wrong when you shed tears because of the earthquake incident in front of your son. I think you just taught your son how to love and care for his fellowmen. Take Care and God Bless! Happy Mylotting!
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
16 May 08
Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
14 May 08
Yes, I do cry in front of my kids...funny...because earlier I was too proud to cry in front of anyone. But now there are lots of things that move me to tears and I try to explain when my older son asks. Unless it's something my son shouldn't know...then I hold back and cry in private.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
14 May 08
I am different. Actually I hate others to see I am crying. So when I am going to cry, I will try to find some place to hide myself.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
14 May 08
I'm like that too....but I find that after I had the kids, I don't mind crying in front of them. I still will not cry in front of others including my husband.
1 person likes this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
16 May 08
nope i really dont want to hide crying infront of my children they are all grown up and i guess they understand what i feel during the outbursts...
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
16 May 08
Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@moondan (712)
• China
15 May 08
It is not shamed to cry in front of your child. It is so terrible that the earthquake take to our country.I see the videos and pictures and news in the internet.some of my classmates tear.The persons in my dorm pay attention to the issues.Everytime after finishing the class,we sit in frond of the computer and attention the news. I adore the Wen premier,he went to the front line of the disaster area at the first time.He also cried. I feel so moved that so many people and companies and goverment help the disaster area.They all use their own ways to surport the survives.Contributing the money, the good,even their blood.Now you can see so many blood donors waiting to contribut their blood.The amount is large now.It is warm. Chinese people are united. I love China.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
Yeah, I also think that we are much more united than before. Besides money, actually I'm thinking whether I can do something after this earthquake, such as adopting an orphan... There are many children lost their families in this disaster.
@moondan (712)
• China
15 May 08
You are so great.I admire of you.For the orphane love and new family is the best gifts for them.If you have the enough ecnomic you can try.
1 person likes this
@moondan (712)
• China
15 May 08
Hello,excuse me,i want to add credit to my paypal,i don't know how to fill in the date of invalidation.What's it means?Can you help me?
1 person likes this
@lynettebyc (2416)
• China
15 May 08
I haven't got a child or even married, but i have seen my mom cried right before me. I don't consider she's not strong. It's not a matter of strong or not, it a matter of your concern about our homeland. Your son's goona understand this and admires for her mother's kindness. We all have emotions and our child can understand that. Your son's keeping asking you questions suggests his care about Mom. He'd think that my mom's got some sad thing, what's it about? He cares about you, you should be happy. And also this time is a great opportunity for you to tell him sth about humane donations, about careness and love. It's all right. Any child will be proud of this kind of mother
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
Right now everybody is focusing on the news. And hopefully more people will be rescued soon.
• China
15 May 08
Yeah, the moment i arrive at home, turn on TV. Time to watch TV, see you then.
1 person likes this
@jewel76 (2305)
• Canada
15 May 08
yes i have, for many reasons such as overwhelming feeling (baby blues) or argument with daddy or just downer..but he's still too young to understand, he actually laughs when i cry! He's only 3 1/2 months old
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@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
That's so interesting that your child laughs when you cry, perhaps he thinks that's funny.
• Canada
12 Jun 08
I don't have children, but if I did, and if there was a good reason, I woudln't feel bad about crying inront o them. Children need to know that people feel the same emotionas, regardless of age.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
12 Jun 08
In fact sometimes even if you don't shed tears, your children can still feel your sorrow.
@shaggin (71573)
• United States
15 May 08
I don't think there is anything wrong in crying in front of your children. I don't like to cry in front of anyone it just makes me feel really embarrassed but I think that if there is something very sad and you cry it isnt bad for your children in fact I think that it teaches them to be empathetic and that there is nothing wrong with crying. Sometimes crying can be such a relief and release a lot of built up pressure and emotions.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
Thanks for your reply.
• United States
15 May 08
Maybe the difference is a cultural thing, but I don't see crying in front of your child as a bad thing. If he was asking questions about the earthquake (as you said), then evidently, he is not too young to understand. I don't think refraining from crying shows strength at all; in fact, I think it is the opposite. True strength comes from being in tune with your emotions and not repressing them. How are your children to learn about compassion and empathy if they never see tears? I think that would be sad. I don't think that anyone would ever accuse me of being "weak." Quite the opposite, in fact. But when I see such horrible destruction of lives, like the earthquake, or the tsunami...or 9-11, then I have to cry. I would also cry if it was only one person involved. Like I said, crying doesn't mean you lack strength, just that you have the strength and honesty to show your emotions.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
16 May 08
We also feel bad to 911 and the hurricane attack.
@dandan07 (1906)
• China
12 Jun 08
Though many people think crying is a sign to show the weakness, I still think crying is a way to show your real feelig and tell people how sad you are. In the sad time, you can cry and let your children the reason why you cry and that can help them to form a good sense of human life. The earthquake is too terrible that many people lose thier lives, and it is quite normal for you sad about it.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
12 Jun 08
Thanks for your understanding.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
15 May 08
Yes, and I don't want them to see me cry... When they see me crying, they look sad, and it makes me cry even more...
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@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
You are quite right...
• United States
15 May 08
I've cried in front of my children before, and will probably do it again. They need to see that I'm tough but tender too. It's not a sign of weakness but compassion that you have for others. Sometimes all you can do is cry, I don't know how to help any of these people. Maybe a donation will help but having my heart break will make me feel more for others and help shed the callouses I've built up around my heart.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
16 May 08
Thanks for your response.
@liquorice (3887)
15 May 08
Yes, I have cried in front of my daughter, but she doesn't really notice yet as she's quite young, or just thinks I'm laughing. I think it's important to not hide your emotions from your children, they can tell when you're not being honest with them and that can be a bit scary. I think that they should also be brought up to know that it's ok to say how you feel and to cry sometimes, especially when faced with something like this horrendous earthquake, and it's also unhealthy to bottle up your emotions. Apart from this I think it's a good thing for children to know that they're parents are human; they're more likely to come and talk to you about their problems if they can see that you have emotions too. I'm really glad that you and your family are safe.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
We are lucky, and therefore we try to do something for those people who suffer in this earthquake disaster.
@tholitz (1127)
• Philippines
15 May 08
I don't see anything wrong with that. I think it will be beneficial for both our children and us to see the humane side of us. Sometimes they picture us as a superhuman particularly a father like me, that nothing can move or hurt us. They would understand that we are also human and have emotional feelings that could be hurt whenever they see us crying. Though there are also some occasion where we should hold our emotions and show our strong side to our children particularly during hard times.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
Thanks for your response.
@roniroxas (10560)
• Philippines
15 May 08
in this kind of disasters it is really very painful to see people who are crying over the lost of their loved ones. i always light candles when something like that happens and tell my children to pray for them as well. as you know my friend that i am a single mom of four children and if i have problems i always tell it to them. i want them to be aware of the problems we are facing. but you just have to listen to them and they are good in suggesting solutions.
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@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
You are a great mom
@mummymo (23706)
15 May 08
I have cried in front of my children and I no doubt will again! Yes there are times when we have to be strong but we also have to let our children see that it is okay to have emotions ans reactions to things and that we don't have to bottle up our feelings! In a situation like the recent earthquake I was in tears watching the news and I am thousands of miles away! My kids have learnt that it is okay to let out sadness and emotions through our tears and will do so , they also learn empathy and compassion which can only be a good thing. If I am crying they do ask questions and I answer them as honestly as possible - this way they learn to make sense of the world and the way it works! xxx
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@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
That sounds great.
@gemini_rose (16264)
15 May 08
Oh yes, I have cried many a time in front of my children, when I have watched something sad on the tv and also when they have been so naughty that I just cannot take it no more!! I never hide my tears from them, I like to teach them that it is ok to cry over sad things and also when you are fed up. My son who is 7 cries over sad things on tv, and his brothers and his Dad take the mickey out of him and I get really cross, because they should not do that. It shows that he has a sensitive side and he should not have to hide it.
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@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
Your son has the sympathy
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
15 May 08
I dont think I have ever cried in front of my son when he was little. I tried not to show it if I was upset because little kids just are too small to understand somethings. I do not cry easily even though I can get very upset,it is something that goes way back in my childhood that I do not care to talk about.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
You are very strong. In fact I am easy to cry, but I try to be strong when my child is around me.
@phoenix25 (1541)
• United States
15 May 08
Yeah, I have cried infront of my child. When he was about 2, he was just confused by it. He would just kind of look at me and wonder what was wrong. Now that he's 4, if he sees someone crying or even just sad, he will say, "What's wrong? What's the matter, mom?" It's cute. I don't think it's a big deal to cry infront of your child every once in a while. It's better than being completely shut off emotionally infront of your kids.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
15 May 08
Children are alway so sweet.