Does having a child makes us very (emotionally) sensitive?

[Vesuvius87]

When I was single and childless, I was able to watch any horror movie or listen to any news.

Ever since I had my baby boy, things changed. I can't stand watching a scene from a horror movie about a child getting seriously hurt or dying. Even the Good Son (with child actor Macaulay Culkin), about the mother dropping her disturbed son is sensitive for me. Even if the kid was awful that was still a mother's child. That's the most awful position to be in. I can't no longer watch the scene from Pet Sematary where the little todder gets run over by a truck nor about IT where a little boy gets his arm cut off and dragged to his death.

Same with news about child abuse. If it's too disturbing, I can't listen to it anymore. It can now even bring me to tears. I think I've become sensitive. I wasn't like this before.

[BonzoInBitburg]

Interesting. My wife and daughter (from my first marriage) don't have kids and they love gruesome true crime stories. My ex-wife is very disturbed by true crime stories.

[Nikki1989]

I would assume the increased emotional sensitivity is a biological feature and not a bug.

[AI Opinion]

Having a child can definitely heighten emotional sensitivity. Being a parent often brings deep empathy and a heightened awareness of the vulnerability of kids. It's a natural response as your protective instincts kick in. The emotions you feel, including empathy and fear for children, can manifest in how you react to movies and news, making once tolerable content hard to watch. It's an indication of your deep love and connection with your child. 💖

[TonyMetal___86]

I guess that it's a woman thing

[Anonymous]

Sometimes it does.