Advice for a 10 yo in an existential crisis?

rocky503

So my DD has had too much time on her hands to think deep thoughts. Really she is thinking all the time anyway but between bad weather and home with a cold she really has been thinking about existence and the futility of it all way too much. So I'd like any helpful advice of other parents who have gone through this. I found the article below that pretty much describes the situation. She is very intelligent and intuitive so I can't feed her a line of bull but at the same time I want her to have a chance to be joyful in life. I always have a tough time in discussing these things and deciding how frank to be cause she can tell the minute I try to gloss over anything.




http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10269.aspx

TAMayorga

Heavy thoughts for a 10-year-old. While I don't claim to be gifted, I often have these feelings, especially when I am in the midst of my daily (long) commute - too much time to think. There was some good advice in the link, and I think that while you shouldn't "dumb it down", because she will recognize it as such, you could make it more appropriate to her level and share some of that advice with her: others feel like you do, there are some things you can do to make it better, etc.

One thing that might help is to acknowledge her feelings and let her know that they are rooted in reality. Yes, we all die. Sometimes life is hard and we get what we hadn't planned (or don't get what we did plan). But let her know that there are many moments of happiness and joy between the now and the future. She should work to find what makes her feel happy, secure, joyful, contented, etc. and incorporate those things into her life.

This is somewhat garbled and disjointed, but I hope it help. Good luck to you and to her. :flowerforyou:

rocky503

Tamayorga
Thanks for the reply. I'm not claiming she's super gifted or a genius, but just very smart. I have these same thoughts too and did as an adolescent. But I had the decency to keep them to myself (joking). Just as a parent besides being loving it's hard to figure out how to discuss it. I generally figure that's why people take philosophy in college, but that's a long way off....

For my long commute to work with too much thinking time I've started listening to books on CD. Makes the trip more enjoyable.

MinMin97

Seems we get flooded with lots of lies. Truth, wisdom, knowledge and understanding are needed. Those things only come from God, and He reveals the truth in His word the bible! Get an app, read through the bible!

nancybuss

I didn't read the entire article but I recall having those thoughts at a young age also.
Our school district has a lot of parental 'classes' on similar things because, sadly, teenage suicide is really increasing. I have no clue if it starts with these thoughts or what.

In a way - why are we all here? But we have to believe we have some purpose and its our goal to find it. Hopefully part of it is in helping others. We will all have lessons, and ups and downs along the way.

Maybe start some good books on personal development, something nobody thinks of, especially at a young age.

I listen to a lot of John C Maxwell right now.... I can't think of names but I know Dave Ramsey has had a lot of idea's on good books for kids to be reading to really be thinking about the 'world' and the existance beyond just their classrooms and groups of friends.

I don't know if I'm making any sense.

Good luck! I'm nervous we're only a few years away from such big thoughts

rocky503

I didn't read the entire article but I recall having those thoughts at a young age also.
Our school district has a lot of parental 'classes' on similar things because, sadly, teenage suicide is really increasing. I have no clue if it starts with these thoughts or what.

In a way - why are we all here? But we have to believe we have some purpose and its our goal to find it. Hopefully part of it is in helping others. We will all have lessons, and ups and downs along the way.

Maybe start some good books on personal development, something nobody thinks of, especially at a young age.

I listen to a lot of John C Maxwell right now.... I can't think of names but I know Dave Ramsey has had a lot of idea's on good books for kids to be reading to really be thinking about the 'world' and the existance beyond just their classrooms and groups of friends.

I don't know if I'm making any sense.

Good luck! I'm nervous we're only a few years away from such big thoughts

Thanks, I'll check out Dave Ramsey. She reads a ton and we are always discussing the wider world, etc. She's a deep thinker sometimes so I just think she has got to these questions a little earlier than most.