So this is what my 6 year old told me today

amother

Mon, Dec 16 2013, 9:10 am

He was eating ready in the morning for school, he said:
I hate to get dressed, I hate to eat, I hate to drink, I don't like to do anything. I didn't even want that Hshem should create the world.

I'm scared. What do I make of this? Is there depression in children? Please help me!

PinkFridge

Mon, Dec 16 2013, 9:16 am

amother wrote:

Yes, there is. But there could be something going on at school or other areas of life. Or it could be something someone said. It could be something big, or something surprisingly small. I wish you the chochma and help you'll need to get to the bottom of this.

True story, I'm assuming, this was in Nachman Setzler's book Class Acts: there was a child in a pre 1A class, great kid, family, etc. who never gave a moment's grief till the class started davening. He acted up terribly during Baruch Sheamar. Apparently, his name was Baruch and he was disturbed by the tefilla, not understanding it was referring to Hashem, not haranguing him. Once the class had some biur tefillah he was fine. I'm only sharing the story to suggest that sometimes things are simpler than we might think.

hop613

Mon, Dec 16 2013, 9:18 am

There absolutely can be dperession in children.

Was this a one time comment - was in a bad mood? frustrated about something?

Or is this a pattern that you notice with this child. How is is temperament in general? If you are concerned, I would probably take him to speak to someone. But this could also be frustration/anger that is within the range of normal - I'm definitely not an expert!

rosenbal

Mon, Dec 16 2013, 9:32 am

It's so difficult and painful to hear our children say things that are disturbing or indicate they may be in pain. BTDT. Breathe. Think logically. Don't be reactive....You might end up fueling more of this type of rhetoric if it gets a "rise" out of you.

There's a good chance it's nothing....he's repeating sonething, playing with words, having a grumpy day. Most important for you to watch his behavior over the next week or so (you can ask teachers to do the same). I don't know the whole depression checklist but u can look it up. Watch for changes in sleep habits, eating, interest in activities he was always interested in etc.

Just stay calm if he says "crazy" things. Don't forbid them....or he'll want to say them agsin. You can of course empathize with his feelings, tell him you'll davenhe has a good day today, tell him u love him, hashem loves him etc. See if he wants to talk about it. But mostly stay calm, cool and collected. And observe for a few days. Statistically speaking, he's most likely not depressed but just said what he said.