6 year old son

My 6 year old son seems normal in every way,but there was an isolated incident the other day where he told his grandmother that he wished he were dead,so that he would'nt be in everybody's way.I asked him who's way he thought he was in and he stated his grandfather whom he never hardly sees. (He lives in another state)  I wonder if he was just wanting attention or maybe he is depressed.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Ms. Arms,

This certainly sounds like a very isolated incident, and probably is no cause for alarm. I'd talk with your son again, and see if you can discern any overt concern on his part. If he were depressed, you'd be seeing some signs in his behavior - he would not appear normal.