Self-help books for managing relationships

[trikkystuff]

Looking for recommendations for a self-help book for my 18 year old son to help him sensitively navigate tricky relationships with girlfriends, friends, future work colleagues etc. Nothing too long and complex, or too American, but easy to dip into. He doesn't have an ASD diagnosis, so I don't want something that is explicitly aimed at that market, but he does need something to help him assess situations, approach them sensitively, and understand why an intuitive approach might not land well.

I don’t think you can learn how to have relationships by reading a book. Honestly, the best thing for him is practice and modelling (you talking through tricky situations with him and showing him how you’d handle them). Is he out there meeting people? Does he have a job? A volunteer role? A hobby where he can meet other people? Family dinners and events where he can talk with great uncle Louie? A neighbour he can help with gardening? A youth centre that has a group he could join around a common interest? It’s practice and making mistakes and getting some support from you and trying again. It’s a bit like learning to ride a bike. You have to feel what you’re doing to understand it.

Classic Mumsnet reply.😁 Patronising, presumptuous and unhelpful, but thanks for bumping the thread.

Insecure in love
Attached - Amir Levine

Agree with @mindutopia - great advice which any mental health professional worth their salt would agree with too. Relationships are learned through having relationships - it’s all about how we are in our nervous system, in our body, and an intellectual understanding gained through a book isn’t going to get anyone far.

Any nutritionist will tell you that vitamin tablets aren't necessary, so long as you have a healthy, well balanced diet. This is true, but if you feel a bit run down, a few days of vitamin C or iron tablets can give you a boost, placebo or otherwise. Add the occasional herbal tea and/or hot chocolate and you might feel even better. Every little thing helps incrementally. A DC's mum is likely to know best what might help for their child.

It's an analogy, but hopefully makes the point.