The reason I’m asking is because I had a strange encounter with my 1+ year old toddler. He’s a very happy kid who laughs at the strangest and not-so-funny things. He’s easily tickled pink and only cries when he’s frustrated that he can’t get his way or when he falls and wants to be pampered.
But lately, when he listens to songs like Lullaby and Rock-A-Bye-Baby, he would tear and sob silently. At first I thought nothing of it, brushing it off as him not liking the slow and melancholic melody. He would only cry when listening to those particular versions of the songs from one of his music CDs. He is alright if we sing it by a livelier beat.
Then one night, as we were watching his favourite movie, The Bee Movie, he suddenly turned to me with a choking voice as he said “Mummy, bee?” and had tears in his eyes. I was surprised that he was crying because just minutes before he was smiling and laughing trying to imitate some of the characters in the movie.
I was baffled and couldn’t understand what was happening and what kind of emotions were going on in him to make him so sobby. Later that night as I was putting him to bed, it happened again. This time he asked about the bee character in the movie and also the bear character from Open Season which he had also watched that same day. Both the movies aren’t sad ones, so I was even more baffled, trying to make a connection as to what’s happening but couldn’t.
I tried to paint happier pictures for him about the characters and even tried to take his mind off those movies by talking about other things. But he kept coming back to them and still sobbed lightly whenever he asked me about them. All the time I would talk about happy things with him and I wasn’t even concentrating on putting him to bed anymore. I was trying to cheer up his mood before attempting to make him sleep.
But in the midst of my happy story telling, he stopped me and through his sobs he said “Mummy, good night” and he turned to his side, hugged his bolster tight and attempted to sleep. It was the most heart breaking moment. I didn’t know what to do to comfort my sad baby!
Until today, I still can’t make out what has happened. I’ve been comforted by Busy Bee that it’s a good sign that he’s showing some emotional development. I would desperately like to believe that in order to feel better. But it really intrigues me. Does a young toddler know the feeling of sadness? Are kids’ development these days so amazing and fast tracked that they are feeling these emotions earlier in life?
Have other parents experienced similar situations like this with their toddlers? Do share your stories and experiences, and how you handled them.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Perhaps your baby wanted more attention?
But I do believe that baby can understand the different emotions.
Aiyoh… I’ve never heard of this before. My niece didnt display such emotions at that age. She did at 3 but definitely not at 1+. OK, now I have to prepare myself to handle my little girl ‘if’ her turn comes.
As for you, I think you should not worry too much la, Busy Bee is an experience mum. So if she said its normal and good, it must be
Tekkaus, I really don’t know…maybe it was attention related. I just didn’t realise they can feel complex emotions at such a tender age.
Amy, I guess after a few days since that episode, I’m a bit less concerned and worried. But if it happens again, I will be baffled all over again!
I think he made some emotional connection with the song and the characters, and didn’t know how to handle it, thus the crying. My boy is quite stoic until he’s about 4 years old so for a 1 year old to display such emotions, it’s quite a progress. So don’t worry, I think it’s part of your son’s growth.
Garnet, perhaps you’re right. I guess we just won’t know it until he’s able to communicate better about his feelings. It is very comforting to hear that he’s developing well in this sense. Thanks