DH and I would really, really appreciate any suggestions or BTDT stories.
Here's our story.
A few days ago, I was laying in bed w/Spencer and before we fell asleep, I asked him if he was happy and if there was anything he was worried about. He said he thinks a lot about dying. "Every day and every night". We talked about it a bit and then both nodded off. I asked him to come talk to me when he thinks about it.
The next evening, while I was cooking dinner, he came to me sobbing and told me that when we (dh and I) die, he wants to die with us.
He doesn't want to live w/out us. Oh, I was so sad to see his tears. He has mentioned this before and cried about it. He's so scared to be alone. He tells us that he wants to live with us forever and ever and never live with anyone else. (yeah...that'll never happen.
)
So...ever since the sobbing episode the other night, he now comes to tell me several times per day: "I'm still thinking about when I'm gonna die, mama".
What do I do?????????
I can't decide if I should:
a) hold him, talk to him about, give him attention at that very moment that he comes to me (I've done this several times).
b) tell thim that everyone worries about it (done this, too. ) He seemed to feel better when I told him about his other friends who've talked to their mamas about it.
c) tell him it's okay to be scared...and then try to move on. I don't want to dwell on the issue, but don't want to ignore it, either.
d) there are tons of other options that I've done/considered.
I honestly don't know what to do. Right now, it's really on his mind. Maybe it'll just pass. I'm scared it won't. I'm worried about him. I'm scared it'll develop into some kind of obsession.
As for his personality: He's probably the most happy, easy-going child I've ever met. He is sensitive. Gets along well w/others. Doesn't pick fights, loves his friends and vice versa. He's a thinker. Always questioning, wondering, asking....pretty typical 5 yr old in that regard.