Having a Very Sensitive Child

My six year old child is about as sensitive as I've seen any kid be. I'm not sure where this comes from. I know that I was sensitive growing up and I still can be to an extent but he's almost extreme. He will cry at the drop of a hat. I've not really talked to him about it or pushed the issue because I don't want him to think it's wrong. I also don't want him to grow up to be one of those guys that thinks he's not supposed to show his feelings. I think his being sensitive says something about him.

There are times when I find it very sweet and other times it kind of bugs me. I always realize though that it's his feelings and he is just letting them come out so I need to allow that. He's very sensitive when it comes to his little sister. This I love! I like that he cares about her so much and is so concerned about her. There have been a few times when I've had to take my daughter to the Doctor and my son had to come along. One of the trips she had to get a strep test and was crying because she didn't like it and the other time she had to have a finger poke and she started crying. As soon as my daughter got upset my son did too. Once she started crying, they both were crying. Things like that don't bother me.

Then there are times when it really bothers me. The other day we were supposed to be going over to our neighbors house to hang out for a little bit. We ended up having a bunch of errands to run and ran out of time. My son started to ask why we didn't go and started to cry. He has a hard time asking questions without having an emotional breakdown. Another example is that he forgot his homework folder at school yesterday. The first thing I do when the kids get home from school is empty out backpacks so I know what we have to do that evening. I simply asked him where his folders were and oh my goodness. He just started crying and was telling me that he didn't want to do homework during recess. We live two blocks from the school and we walk to and from school each day. He didn't even take time to think about the fact that we could go back and get it. He just realizes something isn't right and he instantly reacts. It's times like this when I wish he would just try to process what it is that is going on. Maybe he isn't able to make that connection yet. I don't know.

Do you have a sensitive child? How do you deal with it? So far we've just let him respond to situations the way he currently does, but it's going to have to change at some point. I'm afraid as he gets older kids will start to make fun of him for it.