I don't know what is going on with him...he seems very normal to me. He plays in the dirt, plays with our dog, likes to get messy, loves to look at books, read books with me or grandma, go do things with us...and then when he sits down and starts drawing...he will draw nothing but bad things. Like people getting bitten by sharks, people getting into an accident and dieing and other things related to dieing. It's a little scary seeing my son go from playing and being happy to drawing unhappy pictures. And he will also talk about it, but i'm not sure it's because he doesn't understand or there is something deep down inside that he doesn't know how to handle or trying to get out?

anyone elses kids ever do that around the age of 5?

His father isn't in his life(hasn't been in it for over 3 years) he just started kindergarten and he hasn't gotten into trouble, he seems to listen really well to his teacher (I volunteer sometimes so I get a chance to see how he interacts with everyone)and he is an only child. We go on walks, he goes to the park, we go hiking, we watch movies, we play games, we read...maybe it is me over reacting because I want him to be happy.

Hard to say whats going on in the mind of a 5 year old. If he's being good and is happy I wouldn't worry too much, just keep an eye on him.

Where in Utah are you at? I ask because I'm here too...

Maybe have him to talk to a counselor. It could be nothing, but it could also mean something. It wouldn't hurt him to talk to someone. Maybe he would be interested in something like cub scouts or something. I'm not sure if he would be too young or not, but I remember that's something they suggested when I was younger, I think I was around 7 or 8 though.

Yeah, I looked into Cub Scouts for him, but they don't start till age 7, so 2 more years and he can get into that. :/

I'm by Antelope Island

I am currently in college studying abnormal child psychology (adolecent psychopatology). I am by NO MEANS A PROFESSIONAL! I am also a mother of a 6 year old only child.
IMO I think your concerns are wonderful, it shows that you are an attentive mother. Go to your son's school and ask for a social worker or school counselor and express your concerns. But take their evaluations with a grain of salt. Our society (and my chosen profession) seems so quick to label everything all of the time, when sometimes there is nothing wrong. And there are plenty of psychoanalists out there that are dying to put a label on what they consider "abnormal" which in turn will only cause more problems down the road.
In the mean time keep him away from the TV. And keep an eye on him, as long as he is not acting out violently,he isnt in immediate danger.
Good Luck, I do understand your situation.

oops

i had a friend who use to draw those things back in elementary,he drew those for fun(so he told me)
but he started doing drugs(mostly just noss) and drinking and going to parties until he died in a car accident,sad ending for him.

Thanks, that makes me feel alot better about my son!

please dont pay any attention to the horror stories....you seem to be a wonderful mother. Which in my experience is 90% of the battle.

I never did like expressing my thoughts in the schools because you are right, anyone out there would be glad to label someone and I don't want my son to be labeled especially if nothing is wrong with him. I already got news that his right ear is bad and they want me to take him in for more hearing tests. That Broke my heart that because when he was born he came out 9/9 on the scale (which is a healthy child)

Go with your gut then. His APGAR you mentioned was great! So he had a great start.
If you dont feel comfortable just yet seeking outside assistance than dont. Like I said, for now he isnt acting violently towards you, himself, pets...it may be something he has learned on tv. Keep him away from any exposure to death...Most 5 year old dont have that exposure yet.
You care, you are being attentive. Do some of your own research on the subject if you dont feel comfortable talking to outsiders.

I think he'll be alright. Sounds like he has a very loving and caring mother, that's all he really needs IMO.

Thank you for your words of kindness and you are right, all he needs is Me and of course Grandma to help spoil him, lol

My mom said i drew crazy stuff like that when i was small. I'm half way creative now and never murdered anyone i think. Sometimes we over think to much. bet he gets along fine. gotta say a man is importent in his life though. It was for me. My dad was a good guy--

I wouldnt worry about it

he's a boy

they act out war and gunfights and kill indians and germans and japs or whatever they kill these days

as long as his behavior isnt worrying you I wouldnt freak out on it

Thank you for the advice -

I will keep watching what he is doing...and if his attitude changes then i'll seek a private counselor. Thanks again

I have 3 boys, their adults now and they were always wrestling, shooting each other.. rough stuff.
Now they play all the violent games. My 18 year old is an artist and when he was little he drew pictures of daggers, blood..and he hasn't been in a fight since he was 2.

I don't know where that place you speak of is..Antelope Island..

I wouldn't worry. My brother kept drawing fighter planes and OAS assassins and wrestling matches. And he grew up to be a most wonderful father.

I played with toy soldiers and payed cowboys and indians and often shot down each other with my friends.

I used to go and get into fights and end up making love with the boys I fought with in grade seven.

And look at me now.

So don't worry about your kid, he's just a little man too much, and it's a passing phase until he turns 28 and gets married.

Drat, ladylid, I wouldn't have put my reply here down if I had read yours first... now I seem like a repeating semi-automatic dolt.