Low self esteem just getting lower!
By lilybug
@lilybug (21107)
United States
July 10, 2009 11:38am CST
My 9 year old son has never had really high self esteem. He is a beautiful and smart child, but he has never really made friends easily. In fact I don't know that he has ever had a really good friend. Sometimes I think he just tries too hard to get other kids to like him. This causes a little "depression" if you will with him. He really only looks forward to spending time with one other child and after yesterdays hurtful encounter now he does not even have that. I really don't know what to do or say to him to try to make him feel any better. Seeing him near tears and upset about things really chokes me up as well.
I don't really know what I want here. I guess maybe some ideas on how to keep him from getting depressed. He is only 9 years old and I really do not want to see him going down that path ever, but especially at such a young age.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@jb78000 (15139)
•
11 Jul 09
i really want to help out here. i had the same problem when i was 10 because of some deaths in my family - i suffered from depression for years because of it and the only thing that helped was distracting myself with studying. perhaps your son has hobbies that could help
1 person likes this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
11 Jul 09
Well that stinks. Is he involved in any extra curricular programs like church or sports? I know that my kids have to make new friends every time we move somewhere new but they are pretty outgoing and soon we are helping them select the best friends since they are so magnetic. I guess you could take him to the park to play and maybe to a popular place like McDonalds or Chick-Fil-A (if you have one) basically anyplace that has a play area or where kids can work out their jiggles.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
15 Jul 09
I am a primary school teacher. I am a parent of three children. My youngest nephew is 9 years old. He is shy and is an elective mute. His confidence has grown a little over the last few years. His talking has increased with this.
I feel sorry for your son. He is young to be getting depressed. Some people are cruel in way they say. Your son is sensitive and he needs a soft caring sort of friend. Perhaps you could speak to his teacher. He or she could perhaps let him become friends with a suitable child. The friendly child might be of a different age to your son.
Self esteem can grow with praise and nice encounters with other children. I think that you could take your son out for some lovely days out. Then he might be happier. When you have a child over to play that is well behaved and kind your son might feel pleased.
Good luck.
@Youreyes4Today (2356)
• United States
13 Jul 09
I can understand the self esteem being low and needs to be rebuilt. First his own self worth needs to be built. Maybe it is time to give him some projects to do on his, own. As he accomplishes each one, find his major interests work those in more and more, with some that are not so interesting to build an all around knowledge of other things. Make sure there is plenty of compliments of accomplishment.
To become a bit more sociable, that will take more time in some cases. Take walks to parks, see what the churches offer for summer activities,get him involved. Just idea's I used with my own
