Help With My 10 Year Old Brother?

Question

OK, so my little brother is 10, 11 on December 31st and I need some help with him. There's this commercial he saw on Nickelodeon asking people to donate money to animal shelters, and it showed some beaten up bruised cats and it made him cry. (He's really emotional when it comes to cats) So tonight he was bawling about how he's afraid of animals getting killed or hurt and I didn't know what to say. I'm passionate about all animals too (Except for maybe reptiles, amphibians, or fish) but I was at a loss for words tonight. He'll probably continue this, and I need something that will calm him down and make him feel better. Also, he was watching this show one night called Metalocalypse, and it showed people being violently murdered. He was also crying about that. Please, please, please, please help!

Answer 1

You could help by telling him that crying is not helping those poor animals but rather taking actions and giving him support would be best.  

Answer 2

Aw, bless his little heart. The things they show on television these days..

I'm unsure of how to help with the whole animal thing, but there is a web site, ( www.freerice.com ) that helps end world hunger. You could quite possibly show him that, and that way he can feel like there's not all bad out there.  

Answer 3

thousands of 10 year olds around the world are working in mines and doing other rough work.

thousands of 10 year olds around the world are living in war-thorn countries.

thousands of 10 year olds around the world are so poor that today they won't have anything to eat, and can't afford to cure their illnesses.

thousands of 10 year olds around the world are in hospitals, suffering painful medical treatments.

your brother is learning that life is not all roses! just remind him to be thankful that he's not experiencing it on his own skin!

Answer 4

Oh that is so sweet maybe he can  donate some money to an animal shelter and every once in a while you can take him to visit the animal s

Answer 5

maybe have him volunteer at the animal shelter? Tell him that with every kid that helps it adds up. maybe go with him? Tell him money is not the only thing that helps either. Bless his heart. Also make sure you know what he is watching, i know some good TV shows have weird commercials.  

Answer 6

I have a ten year old sister,

and from my experience, they are just at a time in their lives where they are easily persuaded and moved by many things. My sister goes along with whatever people or commercials say without a doubt they're wrong. They just haven't developed a filter because lack of life experience.

You should tell him that there are organizations dedicated to helping all kinds of animals, including his beloved kitties.

And as far as the brutal t.v. show, maybe a channel blocker? Ten year olds DO NOT need to be viewing so much violence.

Answer 7

you  might not want to let him watch adult swim on teletoon for one thing... talk to him about this, tell him that all things have a purpose and sometimes its just there time to go.

Explain to him that sometimes there are bad people in the world, but as long as he takes care of animals and has respect for all life it will pay forward to other people.

If it really bothers him maybe helping out at shelters will help him feel better...  

Answer 8

give him his favorite snack!! maybe bake some brownies..? that ALWAYS works and take him into a different room with cartoons on or something....

well at least your not the big brother who yells at his baby brother and tells him to get over it like somebody i know.....

ur cool 4 caring

Answer 9

get him a cat, it sounds like he'd love it!!!

and geez, Metalocalypse?! hahahahahaha I LOVE THAT SHOW but for a little kid!?!? Who let him watch that?! hahahahahaha man thats really funny LOVE THAT SHOW

Answer 10

I think "ryan <3" has a good answer.  As a mental health professional with over two decades experience, I do want to emphasize the complete unreliability of the media, whether it be television, magazines, internet, "news"papers, etc., with regard to giving a truthful perspective of things in this world, and so with someone age 10 who may have somewhat free reign on what they watch, they are being bombarded by sensationalism to its finest, for the sole purpose of increasing viewership or readership so they can sell more commercials to corporations, thereby making more money for themselves.  Truth or proper perspective have long been lost as values that influence the media.  "Whatever sells the best / most" is their  motto.  And so, with that horrendous lack of values on the part of the media, younger people, even a lot of so-called "adults", need screening of one sort or another, with respect to what they take in.  Some people will  holler out, "That's SENSORSHIP and it violates our Constitutional Rights".  Well, yes.  It is sensorship, and it's done out of love for those around us, in this case, your 10 year old brother.  "ryan <3" says it well, and isn't as wordy as I am.  God Bless you.

Answer 11

my brother is the same way he just turned 10 today your brother is probably going through pre-pubety every boy go's through that at different ages and different phases he is going through that emotional and sensitive stage its normal  

Answer 12

what a sweet little brother you have.

i've seen the commercial you're referring to, and it breaks my heart too. i have 3 cats of my own, and i hate knowing other animals are in pain. you should talk to you little brother and tell him the positives -- how lucky he is to have two of his own cats that he can take good care off. let him know that he's a caring person for the way he feels.

try to discourage the violent tv shows. that will make him more vulnerable to feeling down. he may be one of the people that are HSP.. or highly sensitive people. that's how i am, and i can totally understand where he's coming from.

some of the traits for being a HSP is having more than average empathy for other living things. people, and animals alike. but it also affects you in other ways - sensitivity to lights and sounds. here is a link if you want to know more about that: http://www.drgingerblume.com/scripts_sen...

but all in all, your brother is a sweet kid. encourage him with the positives, and let him know that there are a lot of good pet owners out there that take really good care of their cats. if it makes him feel any better, you can show him a picture of one of my little beasts lol - http://www.flickr.com/photos/28125966@N0...  ..her name is taco. good luck! ;)

Answer 13

First off, DO NOT give him a snack to make him feel better...this is why Americans are so fat is because they try and make themselves "feel better" with food.

Now...the show Metalocalypse isn't for kids, so I am assuming that he seen this when he wasn't supposed to be awake.  Sometimes this happens, and over time with lots of good books and other kid related movies, he will forget about that.

As far as helping the animals, this is what you might say.  Tell him there are a lot of bad things that go on in our world, and we need more good people to help out.  Tell him that maybe he might consider helping animals by becoming a vet, or something pet related, when he grows up.  

Your a great big brother for caring enough to try and be prepared for the next time this could happen....very responsible on your part.

Answer 14

maybe you could tell him that animals can sick just like he gets sick sometimes, and when they do get sick, they need to be brought to an animal doctor just like he goes to a human doctor...that might help him understand what happens to these animals...maybe tell him if he wants to help animals out, he can become a vet when he gets older, but stress to him that its a normal part of life for animals, just like humans, to get sick.

Answer 15

Maybe its time for that brother to brother talk and tell him how the world isn't a perfect place.  

Answer 16

i see that commercial my family turns it every time because i cry every time its so sad. i honestly cant do anything im only 12 and my mom wont let me =\  

Answer 17

Let him do something that'll make him feel like he's making a difference.  Have a lemonade stand, a bake sale, or a bike-wash (as opposed to a car wash).  He'll have fun making a poster that identifies where the proceeds go.  Are you planning a yard sale soon?  Maybe 10% of profits can go to a shelter.  Or he could have his own small-scale yard sale using video games he doesn't play with anymore, old toys, and clothes he outgrew.  I for one would definitely stop at a yard sale that I might have otherwise drove right by, if I knew the kid was doing a fundraiser.  Parents are happy to support kids to do something unselfish.