My sweet, thoughtful, 8 year old boy just floored me with something he said

[Ishoutandscream2]

Last night, he came into my bedroom, and out of the blue, said "I couldn't be president or a leader and ask for peace. I would be killed." I asked him exactly what he meant, and he repeated what he said more emphatically. We had a talk about all the good people who promoted peace and gave their lives for peace. We talked about how great they were, and how some people seemed to have a higher calling for sacrifice. Rob specifically mentioned King, Kennedy, and Jesus Christ.

This is a very quiet kid. When in first grade, his teacher mentioned a referral to the care team and a possible special ed referral. Both my wife and I (who works with emotionally disturbed special ed children) flatly refused. Turns out Rob was just really quiet and a very nervous type. Now he's blossoming in third grade. Still quiet, but when he speaks, some of the things he says really blows me away.

I can see Rob helping people and promoting peaceful causes. He will be fine young man, and I suspect, a person who supports liberal causes. I'm so proud of him.

[efhmc]

1. Sounds like a lovely human being in the making.

[Captain Hilts]

2. JFK asked for peace? He ran for Prez fear mongering about a 'missile gap' with USSR. nt

[Ishoutandscream2]

3. Who knows. Maybe Rob meant Bobby

But I doubt it. They have studied the presidents quite extensively lately.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Interesting!

[roguevalley]

21. nice boy. tell him that in the end good will win. If I didn't believe it

I would jump out a window. we need him to grow up and be the good man he seems to be signaling he will be. always room for a good man. :) Hug him for me.

[Captain Hilts]

22. Ain't that the truth.

"It never hurts to do the kind thing."

ER

[Sanity Claws]

6. RFK

Wanted out of Vietnam; assasinated right after winning the California primary.

[Captain Hilts]

9. I remember it well. nt

[monmouth]

4. Thank gawd you didn't go that "Special" route. Sometimes they like

to justify their jobs. Sounds to me like the child is a thinker and independent at that. Good on him and a great citizen of the future..

[Ishoutandscream2]

19. My wife was adamant

And she is an advocate for all kids, but she didn't think Rob was ready to be labeled. Thank God she called it right.

[omega minimo]

27. yeah gawd forbid this lovely praise of one child threaten a mob run to shut down the thread

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. He may be quiet,

but he is taking in everything that is going on around him. He is obviously evaluating it too. Nothing wrong with that.
He sounds thoughtful and, I'll bet he is a very kind person.
I taught kids like him. I wish there had been more.

I am giving you a heart just for him.

[Ishoutandscream2]

8. Thank you. That is kind and very sweet.

I always tell Rob I would take a classroom full of Rob's. And you're right - I think he studies and absorbs things instead of speaking out. His mother is like that, and thank God, he is like her!

[Cerridwen]

10. The wisdom of children.

I so wish those who would infantalize children would realize the volumes of wisdom we lose by doing so.

Not you, Ishoutandscream2. Mine is just a general musing.

Rob seems to be experiencing profound thoughts. Perhaps that contributes to his "nervous" manner? /end of arm chair psychologizin'

Thank you for sharing this story.

:D

[Ishoutandscream2]

12. No, I think your arm chair psychologizin' is spot on

A year or so ago, one of the cable networks had a program about an African-American boy who had to go across country for weight reduction. He had to leave his mother, who he loved dearly. When the boy left home and was saying goodbye, I looked over at Rob, and tears were just flowing down his cheeks. This from a 7 year old boy, showing empathy for this young man having to leave his mother. He really soaks it all in.

[Cerridwen]

15. Then, if I might yet again be presumptuous,

I'd like to suggest a book for you to read. Oh, I see they have a website now. Here's that link instead: The Highly Sensitive Person.

Thank you for not taking offense. I "sensed" a kindrid spirit in Rob. Yeah, I'm "weird." I'm also an HSP. *sigh* It is not an easy road in our world.

[Ishoutandscream2]

16. Yes, he is definitely HSP

He is one whose heart is easily broken. I will check out the book, for sure.

[Cerridwen]

20. I noticed at the web site, she has also written one about

HS children.

She had some good things on the website even without purchasing the book.

Much luck and peace to your family. Rob is very lucky to have someone such as you for a father.

[tblue37]

25. Guy de Maupassant wrote a story about a priest who was adored by families,

and especially by the children in the families.

Once a mother asked him why, since he loved children so, he became a priest instead of marrying and having his own family.

He explained that he had realized at a very young age that he was far too sensitive to tolerate the blows fortune could deal him if he were to have his own family. So he became a priest, a calling that allowed him to enjoysocial interaction and the families of others, but at one remove, where he would have some protection from the vulnerability his sensitivity would leave him open to were he to marry and have children of his own.

[tblue37]

24. On the night before his tenth birthday, my son began to cry.

"Do you realize," he sobbed, "that this is my last night as a single digit age?"

I swear, if you are bright and sensitive, you are spared nothing, because you realize too much at too young an age.

[omega minimo]

28. OP: "out of the BLUE....." sounds like

:yoiks: :spray:

[peace13]

11. Give your son an extra hug!

These type of children need extra love along the way because they are aged beyond their years and childhood is not so 'care free' for them. My son sounds a lot like yours and he has turned out to be a fine young person. You and your wife need to do the group hug!

[Ishoutandscream2]

17. Thank you. Sounds like you have a great kid

I'm certainly not ready to write off young people yet. I am a counselor at a high school, and I love my kids to death. I am very confident in our young people.

[Mnemosyne]

13. Out of the mouths of babes! Give that sweetie a huge

:hug: from the grandmama of another sweetie almost age 8!

[Ishoutandscream2]

18. Thanks, and aren't they great?

Just give me kids and dogs, and I'm a happy guy.

[Mnemosyne]

26. I wish I'd had the grandson first, some days!

I like a simple life too. :hi:

[onetiredmom]

14. I love to talk to my 11 yr old son.

He has such simple, honest perspectives that sometimes floor me.

He has had lots of behavior problems, etc., and we have walked the floor and cried many tears over him. We've been to doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists and have just kept trying to do our best with him. As he is finishing 5th grade, I'm am seeing the makings of a fine young man. Isn't it so worth all the care, worry and prayers (if you do that) to see them turning out so well.

We're not out of the woods yet, but each success gives us new energy and hope.

Good for Rob!

[tblue37]

23. Ishoutandscream2, I have an article on my

Teacher, Teacher site entitled "Does Not Play Well with Others":
http://teacherblue.homestead.com/playswell.html

In it I complain about the tendency in our society to overvalue conformism and shallow social interaction and to identify those, especially children, who are a bit different or introspective as "troubled" and in need of psychologicalk intervention and perhaps even prescription drug intervention. You might enjoy reading it.