this post was submitted on 24 Dec 2023
26 points (93.3% liked)

Parenting

1782 readers
193 users here now

A place to talk about parenting.

Be respectful of others' parenting decisions.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

My kid , 4 year old. She repeats some patterns in my life.

I was good with maths, science, books but was dumb/stupid for day-to-day interactions with other persons and lacked common sense . I am not an introvert and want to company with huge number of people around me. But I miss the sense in people talk, my replies will be foolish. And, do things ( like : gym ) in artificial/goofy ways - my default facial expression was embarrassment.

This pulled me back and I lived with books, cinema etc. And my friends are either similar persons or persons who can tolerate(?) me. I do joke to them that I only have few friends . The number is 4+3 and the answer is 6 ( last one being myself )

Now, my kid behaves similarly . She is good at studies, but lacks sense and do things in stupid ways. She wants to be friend with kids. From what I understood, she has one friend only and others are not ok with her.

My innermost feeling is that even if she is having stupidity/lack of sense, she should be friends with same age kids.

My Qns are:

  1. She is concerned with the not-loved-by-others situation. She sometimes cry that kids said H ( hate ) to her. How to help her. Can I simply say your dad faced similar situations ( I do remember feeling what's the issue with me at many places, why they do not like me, and crying )

  2. How can I tell the world is not fare. And if she did not get friends here, she could find soulmates somewhere else.

  3. I think she is not a listener-type and keep talking what's in her mind at that moment. How to make her understand on listening to others.

  4. Finally, which doctor assistance required , like child psychologist ..

Thank you for reading all this, fellow parents. Any advises/Qns , let me know.

all 12 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 12 points 11 months ago (1 children)

You read like potentially being on the spectrum and might want to look into that for your daughter. (And maybe for you if you're interested in answers)

Just a thought.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I had to triple check this wasn’t [email protected]

[–] [email protected] 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Off the cuff it sounds like you are projecting onto your kid.

I say this because I’ve been in the same boat. It’s really easy to find your own strengths and flaws in your kids, and it’s a very small step to projection from there.

It’s hard to remember what you were like…really like…at those ages. You can easily remember your teenage and later elementary years, and that’s often what we project because that’s what we remember.

I’d honestly suggest that instead of asking other uneducated schmucks on the internet, you discuss this topic with your own therapist. If you don’t have one, I’d highly suggest shopping around, particularly for one in your particular shoes. I have difficulty with stress and anger, and my kids are a big trigger for that…I was lucky to find an online therapist that deals with stress/anger management, and also family issues and also works as a childhood psychology professor. I would absolutely bring this to him. Thats what he’s there for, and online therapy sessions are surprisingly affordable.

[–] lyf10 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

yes, can u suggest online therapists.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Finding a therapist is a very personal thing. It’s a lot like dating. You may not really click with several until you really know what you’re looking for, and even then you may have personality conflicts.

Best to check with your insurance (if applicable) and see which platforms they support and has in-network therapists licensed in your state. Headway and Talkiatry are two very popular big name platforms.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago

My brothers son is socially awkward, so I try to affirm everything except egregious wrongs as acceptable and ok. It matters in Asia, where being smart and wise are societal aspirations. Say someone has a different viewpoint, I try to point out it's ok to have that viewpoint and to considwr other opinions and accept the challenge to their own. It helps him understand the other person as well as how his own opinion has merit and hes gradually coming around to accepting them and himself in the process.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

If the kid is 4 they're going to be a COVID baby and possibly have some socialization issues due to lockdowns.

Talk to their daycare, preschool teachers, caregivers about their socializing and interaction. But kids need room to experiment, try, test boundaries, grow. If you measure them all the time rather than model behavior and tell them, show them, teach them what you want them to do then they will find other less desirable things to do.

Kids want to be involved and do things that other enjoy. Teach them the skills you think they need. If you value reading and music show them. If you value social interaction and conversation show them. They little sponges and will pick up whatever you make a point to show them consistently.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I'm not a parent and have nothing to add to this conversation, but your understanding and thoughtful approach to child development is truly admirable. Best wishes to you and OP.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

If you feel comfortable with a book in English, check out the book "Why Will No One Play With Me". It sounds as if there may be some neurodivergence going on and from only what you have mentioned here, this limited information fits almost exactly the pattern for ADHD. But there's obviously more information you aren't disclosing.

ADHD is highly heritable which makes sense that like parent like child.

Child psychiatrist is who you take her to for a diagnosis. Once you know where to look for strategies, which is what that diagnosis tells you, then you can start supporting her in all the best ways she'd benefit from.

Thanks for being a concerned parent.