Did your teens go through a phase of disliking their appearance? Worried about DS

[Crisscross283]

He's almost 13 and has just come to me in floods of tears over his 'double chin'. He's not over weight, he's a lovely looking lad but both DH and I have soft faces, no chiselled jaw lines in this family. He's obviously focusing on this. I've reassured him that he's very handsome and said that everyone has things they're insecure about but his chin is absolutely 'normal' and everyone is different and thats what makes us human.

Broke my heart seeing him so upset though.

Not had that, mine are 14 and 15. 14 year old DS only really cares about his hair and even then he isn't very bothered just says he does not want to look like DH. 15 year old DD can minor query things once but normally fine.

I would be concerned if he is that upset that other kids are saying nasty things to him. I would ask him if anyone has said anything.

I would generally chat to him about how he is feeling as I find sometimes when mine seem upset about something minor it can be something else entirely bothering them or a few things together - go through things like school, other kids, friends.

He said someone passed comment about his chin today, not in a mean way but he's obviously taken it to heart. It's his second day back to school today, it's the first year he's ever not cried about going back to school after the summer holidays so maybe he's got some of that back to school anxiety built up.

How can we boost his self esteem, I don't think he believes me when I tell him he's handsome.

Yes mine too. Teenagers tend to start comparing themselves against their friends. Also their bodies are changing so much that it can be hard to accept some of the changes. It takes time to get comfortable again.

Find someone famous and handsome who looks like him.

I had to do this repeatedly for DS when he had issues about part of his face. In fact he's very handsome.

It would definately be coming from other kids. Remind him he will lose puppy fat and his face will start to change 16+ ,give himself a chance. Kids are brutal.