14 year old

@indywahm (808)
United States
June 15, 2007 5:32pm CST
i am a mother of a 14 year old boy and I cannot get him to talk or open up at all, and it's very frustrating. I've tried to engage him in a variety of ways, but he remains non-communicative and only gives one word answers. Do you have suggestions?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
16 Jun 07
Welcome to the crazy world called Having a Teenage Boy! It's completely normal for them to act like that at this age. One of the most important things you should do is KEEP TRYING! I know it gets very frustrating but by you making the effort he will know (deep down at least) that you still care. The worst thing you can do right now is to give up and not "bother wasting your time" trying to talk with him. That will send him the message that you don't care anymore...not a message any mom wants to send their child. It may still be awkward at first but try writing notes instead of talking. My s/o's son (almost 17) and I never communicated at all until we started this. We still rarely actually talk to each other but I know more about what is going on with him than his dad does. Since he doesn't live with me most of our talking/writing is done on IM but you can figure out whatever will work for you and your son. Just don't push the issue, let it develop naturally. Start by leaving him a note saying how you feel and how you want to have a closer relationship but that you realize talking face to face isn't always easy. Then bring up a topic or two that you want to share with him and tell him to just write out whatever his response is if he's not comfortable coming to you in person. Even if he doesn't respond at first keep leaving him messages. Before long he'll be looking forward (secretly possibly) to seeing what you have to say to him. And he may just surprise you by writing back! Good luck!
1 person likes this
@pirtlems (245)
• United States
16 Jun 07
it may be nothing , but then again it may be sompthing medical.has he responded well in the past or has this always been a problem ? you may want to consider talking to a doctor or a child psyochologist.