My son is 17 and I just found him in tears staring at a blank page trying to write a draft personal statement. He wont talk to me and says he's just tired but i am really worried about him. He is a high achiever and is predicted very high grades in four A levels but socially he is very closed and seems to have a fear of failure and of looking stupid. He has very few friends and what friends he does have he never invites home. He has a very conservative nature and likes to follow the 'rules'. He never drinks alcohol (in fact he never even drinks tea or coffee!) rarely goes out (the cinema occasionally) He spends all his time working revising playing minecraft or making videos. He's pretty sensitive and wont open up to me if I try and discuss things with him so I try not to dig too much. Things like feelings, emotions, fear hopes dreams etc ...I know - what teenager does?). He is very risk averse and prefers to stay within the confines of his comfort zones. Because he doesnt have much extra curricular stuff in his life he is finding it hard to start the personal statement and he is worrying about it. I know this all sounds very teenagery but I just wish he was less uptight and could relax and have a little fun. Even get into a little trouble! I know that sounds mad! I dont think he is depressed as such but... I dont know, how would I know really? He is off on a trip with other six formers to North Africa for two weeks on Monday and I wondered if he was worried about that but he says not. He says' he's not worried about anything. But sometimes he looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He sets high goals for himself academically but he doesnt seem to balance that with ....fun. Maybe the trip will help. Gah! I'm just being a worrypot arnt I?
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