My 3/Y Seems Cold

I suggest that there is nothing wrong with your son. It sounds like he has a realistic view of the world of animals and science. Your husband has to have a removed attitude toward an animal to dissect it. He can't think of the rabbit as a pet. I suggest that your son has picked up that attitude. You probably talked about eating rabbits.

I suggest that being honest with him as in saying that you're skinning the rabbit would make it less confusing. I don't see you son saying you're skinning him as being cold. He's being factual.

Is your son not warm and affectionate with you? If not then I'd be concerned. But being realistic about a rabbit sounds reasonable to me.

When I was growing up my family ate rabbit. It's still one of my cousin's favorite meats. We raised our own beef. My parents talked about the difference between a meat animal and a pet. We were not allowed to get attached to the steer. I suggest your son saw his father skinning the rabbit and he didn't get attached to the pet rabbit. That seems like a healthy response to me.

I tend to agree with Marda on this one. From what you've written, yes I would agree it seems a bit odd, but I have to imagine there is much more to the story, as in...have you ever eaten rabbit? Do you talk about?, are there hunters in your family?, breeders? If you're husband is bold enough to dissect a rabbit in front of your child, then I'm betting that some of that honesty, curiosity, and straightforwardness is a result of you and your husbands attitude. I don't mean that in a negative way, I think you should be factual and honest, but most kids aren't exposed to that kind of a thing so most kids wouldn't be as casual about it either.

I think one thing might be to just have an honest talk that some animals are for eating and some animals are for loving. Pets vs food, if you will. Obviously there are many who would disagree and say that all animals are for loving ;) but for the meat eating sector, I think most parents will have to have this kind of a talk on some level when their kids start putting 2 and 2 together.

I agree that if he's warm and loving towards people then maybe he just needs some help with boundaries and understanding the finer points of all these hard concepts. If he's cold towards everyone then possibly consider some counseling, but talk to your pediatrician first.

Is your son cold toward you, live animals, friends, relatives, etc? If so, I can see how you would find this on top of the other examples of coldness worrisome. Of not, he's probably just curious about what's really going on.

If he can't display affection and warmth to people and animals, I would make a call to your state's early intervention program.

I agree with Tori & some of the other comments. I think this has to do with the lifestyle that he sees/lives. I've always said how would you know the color purple if you never see it! Just my take on life if you know what I mean. There has to be more here for him to say those things. Observe & talk to your husband & other men in his life to see what he has heard/seen/been told, etc. His norm sounds different. I personally wouldn't skin anything around a young child but that's my norm....
Good Luck

he will be a hunter. :)

I'd be concerned too... it seems more than simple coldness or callousness. Watch him to make sure he doesn't hurt reptiles or small animals, or other children. You should tell him quite sternly that pets aren't for eating.