How do you tell your very attached 6-year-old that the 14-year-old dog that you've had since before he was born (as a puppy) is going to die soon?
My grandmother saw my sister at her mom's funeral somewhat afraid and unsure. She took her up to the coffin and picked up her mother's hand and told my sister, “Death is not something to fear. It is a part of life. My mother has gone now in body but her words of wisdom and experience live on through us her children and even in you as her great grandchild.” My sister was no longer afraid of death and when my grandmother passed about 6 years ago my sister retold this story to her own daughter.You need to be upfront with your child. Explain that your dog is getting up in years and his health is failing. Someday soon the dog will pass on but that does not lessen the amount of love you will feel for your animal. You will always know the dog had a good life with your family and that he was happy. A small tale of the rainbow bridge just like humans tell people about heaven can be comforting to some. It really depends upon your religious ideologies.Don't lie to your kids. Stay honest and remind them even the most perfect day comes to an end when the sun sets. Nothing lasts forever which is why we treasure life and those we love all the more.
How do you know when a 24 year-old male is too attached to his mother?
Why is it important? What does it matter to you?How two adults interact is up to them and so long as no criminal laws are being broken it should be of no interest to any one else. You've stated that he has a 'sick psychological obsession' with his mother. From a different frame of reference I have one with my wife - it's called love. If they are having sex then it is incest but still does it really matter? Rick Santorum in 2003 gave support to the legal case that if sex between consenting adults is allowed in your own home it shouldn't really matter who those adults are. So: leave your prejudices out of it. Is she happy and comfortable? If so move on and let them be. If she isn't happy and doesn't seem to be able to address the issue then help her to organisations that can support. Again the focus is to come at the issue from a living and caring stance that supports the family and its difficulties rather than ripping it apart.
Is it bad when a younger brother is really attached to his older sister?
My lil' bro is 12 years younger than me and is in first grade. Him and I have always been really close cause my parents are very hands-off and he is seen as a "bad boy" and I'm the only one at school and home who doesn't treat him that way. He always tells me he misses me when I leave and he gets really upset when i move out. Sometimes he gives me really really long hugs and just wants to sit with me. Ever since we were little I was always affectionate with him so we have always had a touchy-feely relationship. The thing is, he has absolutely no problems with kids his own age and is not socially akward or anything. He is doing great in school and is really smart, well-rounded. But idk is it weird that we are so close? Is this normal?
Is my boyfriend "too attached" to his little sister?
So this is going to sound weird and its a little hard to explain...but I feel like my 22 year old boyfriend shouldn't be so attached to his 19 year old sister and vice versa. Him and I have been dating for 3 and a half years now. When we started dating he used to invite her to hang out with us all the time to the point where I had to remind him that I was dating him, not both of them. It got better but then we recently started living together about 6 months ago. He moved out of his moms house where he was used to sharing a room with his sister and they would often sleep in the same bed. When we first started living together he would be gone half of the week still sleeping over at his moms with his sister. Lately I've been trying to explain to him that I deserve a guy who wants to come home to me ever night and feels lucky to do so. He says I'm out of line because we are not even married and he doesn't see the big deal in going over and sleeping over with his sister and spending time with her.. I'm not saying I think he's cheating and going off somewhere else because i know hes not, I just think his relationship with his sister is a little weird and it gets in the way of our relationship especially since he feels the need to invite her everywhere and I honestly feel she thinks of me as competition. She will even change in front of him and that makes me uncomfortable since she's 19... I'm not at all trying to break up a family. I love his family but I want him to realize its time to grow out of that sleepover phase and start a life with me. Am I out of line? How should I approach the situation? I'm a little grossed out and confused at the same time. I need a professional opinion please.
Should 12 year olds date?
This is becoming a problem for my little sister. I was first together with someone at 13, but you can predict how long THAT lasted. Honestly, I think that at age 12, hormones are raging, and it's very difficult for a 12 year old to contain them. One of the best and safest ways to help them is for them to date. Having a 12 year old sister, and having been 12 a few years ago, I know that girls have had crushes at 12 for generally a year or so. Very few of the 12 year olds will actually date, but I think the ones who want to should be able to, granted they have parental permission and are responsible enough. When I was younger, honestly about 13, a guy asked me out, and my mom gave me permission as long as we didn't call it dating, we called the other our "boyfriend" or "girlfriend". NOBODY would kiss when I was younger. Heck, I only had a pair of friends who were "together", and the most I was aware they did was hug, maybe a peck on the cheek at the end of the school year. The only dates they ever went on was a group date consisting of them, me, and some of our friends after school on a Friday, where we all walked a block from school for 1 1/2 hours to a little block of shops we called town, for hot dogs and photo booth pictures. We thought it was great because of the lack of parental supervision, despite the hot dog vendor that everybody knew that was dutifully keeping an eye on us. The few who could say they were "together" all went there on the same day. Some of us also went to see her (my friend) in a production of "Beauty and the Beast", but again that was a large group, and he brought her a rose. Granted, the note attached said "i heart u", but it was more than I expected. The girl was one of the sweetest, quietest, smartest girls I have ever known, and her mom was great. She's still a great friend of mine today, but I moved and have no idea if they're still together. Honestly, I doubt it. These things come and go. 12 year olds are just experimenting. However, I understand people's concerns about young pregnancy, and wasting their childhood. I want to know your opinions about this. I don't know what to tell my sister, and our mother says when the time comes that she's asked, they'll discuss it. This doesn't help my sister at all, when she's stuck at school in front of some guy who has a little crush on her, and she has no idea what to say. Opinions?
My sister read my diary!?
i'm 12 and in my diary i wrote a lot of personal stuff like who i liked. i also wrote that i got my period. she always does this. now she knows what i just said and also that i want my breasts to grow. i'm gonna tell you a little about my sis: She is 4 and her name is katie. she is very smart wich is why she is kindergarden even though in fall of 1]st grade we be 5. she is tiny (3'1) and she is a very sweet little kid. we are very close because my mom is overwhelmed right now do to financial stuff, sickness, and other stuff so i am taking care of her for 6 months. my mom told her to obey me because i'm in charge of her. i get her on and off the bus, set up playdate, and take her places on my bike. (I attached an extra seat) She does not seem to understand i'm in charge of her. she reads my diary and teases me about it. she also pulls off my shirt to embarrass me although she only does it in front of my friends. she walked in on me in the shower and when i yelled at he she said...
How can I help my 8 year old sister become more independent?
Yes, she should grow out of it. My daughter did this. Meanwhile:Never shame her for this behavior, it will make her more insecure.Reach out to her before she reaches out to you as often as you can. It will reassure her that she will be loved without demanding it.Practice friend making skills. Have her invite the friends home. It is unlikely that she will behave this way in front of a friend. Peer pressure can be positive.Talk to her about a routine for when mom leaves. Let her help design it. If you can include a small, non-food reward at the end, that will help. Tell her you will do 8 (arbitrary #, chose because she's 8) practice runs which will include the treat. After that, she only gets the treat when mom actually leaves. She gets the treat regardless of her behavior for X weeks. When she seems better, start telling her in two weeks, one specific small, easily identifiable, change will be required to earn the treat - did not yell/let go when told no more than three times; tears can't be helped and should not be used as treat criteria. Talk about the upcoming change every time mom leaves so she is very clear about what is going to change when. Stand firm, or this won't work. She will try to get the treat without meeting the requirement and/or pretend to be indifferent to the treat.The above can be tailored to getting her to sleep in her own bed. Choose one. Trying to implement both at once is too much for all of you.Come back sooner than expected. This is harder than it sounds. It's tempting to do as much as you can while away, to lessen the number of partings. This can make your sister dread separation more, because it's soooo loooong in 8 year old time.That's all I remember off the top of my head. Hope it helps! \U0001f601
My 12 year-old daughter won't talk to me because I divorced her mother. How should I approach her?
Without truly knowing your situation, I can only make a few suggestions.No matter how you feel about your ex, never criticize her in front of your daughter. Why don’t you ask your daughter to come out for dinner with you (I am assuming she is living with her mom). Take her to a real nice restaurant. Don’t try to explain the divorce to her - it was between you and your ex. The most you should say is that sometimes people just can’t seem to live together and sometimes those people decide they are better off living apart. And then drop the matter, she doesn’t need to choose sides.Respect the fact that she may side with mom right now - let her work out in her head how it will work out in the future - she may need time accepting the change. You and your ex may have seen it coming but your daughter may have seen arguments but she never imagined that you would separate. Her world has been turned upside down and she needs time. Just show her kindness and love and respect. Don’t introduce her to your girlfriend (if you meet someone) until you and her have rebuilt your relationship. If you have visitation remember while she is at your house to spend time with her. Stay off your cell phone and go for a walk with her. Play video games together. Cook together and talk and remember when you are talking also listen to her. Most men hear women but they don’t actually listen - and there is a big difference in the two.Hope it works out for you.
My sister's husband's mom is called what, to me?
She is someone you will have to see for the next 30 years at family functions so you may as well be nice to her. From a family tree perspective, she is your sister's mother in-law or your brother in-law's mother or your future niece's grandmother. There is no name for your relationship to each other.