My Son...how to make him tough
By happyness3
@happyness3 (394)
United States
July 21, 2009 4:42pm CST
I recently responded to a discussion and I thought I would post my own topic about it to see what results I got. My son is almost 9, and is probably the wimpiest kid in the world. He is a very sweet boy, but he is what I would have termed as a child, a cry-baby. He cries over everything. If his homework confuses him, instead of asking for help, he cries. If he gets full at dinner, instead of saying he is full, and putting up his leftovers, he cries. When his step dad took him out to learn to play football and basketball, when the ball hit him (lightly I might add), he cried. Now, if we go to the park with a ball, he gets upset. He plays with kids younger than him, because they aren't mean like the older ones, and I fear it is hindering his mental growth. What do I do to toughen up my child?? I come from a long line of 'mens men' in my family, and he doesn't fit in. I don't really care,he is my son and I love him, but I want to make sure he isn't made fun of because he is pretty weak, doesn't like sports, and cries when he gets frustrated. Help! What do I do??
1 person likes this
3 responses
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
21 Jul 09
Your son sounds a lot like me when I was that age. I'd rather be in my room reading a book than outside playing because I was so small and wimpy that, if forced to play I'd find younger kids to play with.
I'm sure he will change, in time. As kids at school get on his nerves because he's wimpy he'll toughen himself up. Sports like baseball and football may not be his calling. Maybe he'll be artistic instead and that can be a good thing. The world always needs artistic people 
2 people like this
@happyness3 (394)
• United States
21 Jul 09
Thank you, I really hope so, because right now, I really worry about him. Which is a shame, because he is really a sweetheart.
2 people like this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
21 Jul 09
Each child has their own personality and encouraging confidence with kind support is great. They have to be theirselves and we cannot expect them to be like anyone. They are individuals who will develop and grow. Your child may have many areas that he will excel where others do not. Lots of love, is always a good thing.
@darhanplace (8)
•
23 Jul 09
I don't think that you should put you pas and what others think onto your child. He may be starting to go through his changes and do not know how to deal with his emotions and feelings especially if you try to toughen him up by names like whip, ect. Toughness is in the mind and emotions you don't have to be mean or be a bully to be a strong man. Help him deal with his feeling not to shove them down. Yes grown men can cry too. Having feelings does not make you weak and he his better off having them. My son was also like that at that age and is now a nice you man, who most girls love to be around because he is strong enough he doesn't have to act tough all of the time to get their attention. He knows he is strong in mind and body and doesn't bully or"act tough" to prove it
@happyness3 (394)
• United States
23 Jul 09
I don't usually get rude here, but no where in my post did I say that I called my son names or made light of his emotions. I would never do that, he is my child and I love him more than anything regardless of what other people think. I am concerned yes, because I know how mean other kids can be...and what parent WANTS their child to be bullied? My sons last teacher called him Cassanova because so many girls called him their boyfriend. But he is only 8, so I am not really concerned about his love life at this point. I am just concerned about his emotional developement. So next time, read the post before you tell people not to call their kids names.
