[amabanana]

Amabanana, I was that kid. I still cry at world vision ads. I still cry at work when a patient tells me a sad story. Obviously not in fornt of them, but I'd hate to not feel those emotions. Why SHOULDN'T a person get super upset that there are people starving, or there are wars? It seems the only sensible response. And why would you want to teach a child that there are things you can't control? Kids are born with such imagination and creativity, and by teaching them they can't control something, you are potentially just stifling their ability to try and control it.

Childhood is such an exercise in conformity. Sure, teach your kids not to bawl in public when they are older. But telling them that they shouldn't cry at things they can't control or don't have a direct bearing on their life is just hardening a sensitive heart.

OP, I honestly don't know if your son's behaviour is 'normal' or not, but does it matter? I'd teach him to deal with his feelings, not that his feelings are wrong.

I say a lot of people could learn a lot from children like yours, and amabananas.... what it is like to be truly empathetic before we have all the empathy beaten out of us and replaced by self-interest.

I don't want to stifle DDs creativity or feelings, but I am definitely concerned about how emotional she can be and how those feelings interfere with 'life.' I don't think I was particularly clear - obviously given your reply - but what we are trying to help DD with is resilience and 'looking at the bright side' as she can be quite pessimistic. She's seeing a psychologist to help her understand her intense feelings/anxiety. As I said, now that she is older we are discussing what we can do, like donating or raising funds/awareness etc. PPs have mentioned giftedness and intensive emotions - that's where we are and it can be full on!
I take offense to being told I am beating the empathy out of her and replacing it with self interest. Conformity is so far off my radar it's not funny. DD has her own style and dances to her own beat. Why would I want to change that?