is your preschooler all about "feelings?"

Flem052204

Katy is learning about "feelings" and EVERYthing is all about her feelings these days.  In many ways it's good that she can express herself and explain what she is thinking to us--I'll give a couple of examples in a minute.  On the other hand, it's also a PITA because EVERYthing seems to hurt her feelings.  For example, if I tell her it's time for bed, she says "You hurt my feelings!!"  me:  "How did I hurt your feelings?"  "You said I have to go to bed.  That hurts my feelings!"  It's somewhat draining because we have to discuss her feelings about taking a bath, brushing her teeth, eating her breakfast, getting dressed, etc. etc.  I feel like I'm wiped out by 10am. Nothing ever justs gets done easily anymore.

On the upside, it's nice that Katy can tell us how she is feeling, (other than having hurt feelings over all of life's daily activities.)  2 examples from yesterday: 

Me:  Katy, what are you doing?  (she was sitting in her rocking chair in her dark bedroom).Katy:  I'm just thinking about grandma.  Me:  What are you thinking? Katy:  I'm just having feelings.  Me:  What are you feeling?  Katy:  Just because about how much I love her.  (that was her exact phrasing.)  Me:  We should go call her and tell her that!  (which we did)

and

Katy:  Mom, I'm sad.  Me:  About what, Katy?  Katy:  Because I'm having feelings.  Me:  Why are you feeling sad?  Katy:  Because I have bad news.  Me:  What is your bad news?  Katy:  My bad news is Grandpa Art doesn't live in his house anymore.  That makes me sad.  (Grandpa Art was my grandpa, who passed away in November.  We had a long discussion about Grandpa Art living in heaven with Grandpa Jim and how happy they both are.  Now Katy wants to take a plane to heaven to visit them....)

So it's nice that Katy can explain what she's feeling because I honestly had no idea she was so sad about my grandpa dying.  She hasn't mentioned him since he passed away.

If you have a preschooler, is pretty much the entire day spent discussing their feelings?  It's mentally exhausting, isn't it?

jorie

LOL!  Yes, there's a lot of feelings going around our house too!