My 12 year old son is growing apart from all his friends...how do I help?
My 12 year seems to be losing his friends and is feeling lonely and sad. I don't know what to say or how to help him. He is much more mature than most of his friends, but lately he always seems to be a "victim". I feel like he is hanging on to "comfort" friends that he has known forever, but really has nothing in common with anymore. He is somewhat sad these days and feels like he has no friends. I am worried what this might lead to. Any suggestions?
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My 12 year old son is growing apart from all his friends...how do I help?
Have you asked him why he is drifting from his friends? I think that something is going on with him that he hasn't been able to share with you possibly. Sometimes, losing old friends only to be hanging out with new, but older friends can be a sign of substance use. Any signs of that? They say that it can start with just the cough syrup in our medicine cabinets and that most parents don't have a clue. You might want to look this up. I read a Yahoo news article on it a couple of weeks ago and the main symptoms can be withdrawal from friends and family and depression. Not that I am saying that is it for sure, just something to look at. Talk to him, see if he will open up to you? Does he have a Dad or a father figure that he trusts? Maybe it is a "guy" thing? Good luck and I hope that it turns out to be something as simple as a short lived stage and nothing more serious. Sincerely, Terri
