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Please tell me that my teenage ds social skills will improve

9 replies

Summeristhebest · 15/11/2018 18:14

Having a conversation with my 14 year old ds is, at times, like squeezing blood from a stone. He also struggles with other adults and I think he appears sullen but he isn't - he just finds it awkward. My 12 year old dd on the other hand, is the opposite and enjoys socialising. I put this down to teenage boy behaviour but have just had a bit of a lecture from my DM (who only had girls) on how he should be more sociable, should join a debating society or something similar to encourage communication (he wouldn't want to). He is popular at school and is really chatty to his mates, but I'm feeling a bit stressed now.

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Bloodybridget · 15/11/2018 18:18

Of course he will get chattier! No need at all to worry about it now.

cptartapp · 15/11/2018 18:21

I have an almost 16 year old and a 13.5 year old, both boys. The older one is much better at conversing with adults, under duress, but DS2 is hard work. We call him a man of few words although he's fine at home and with friends. I'm hoping he'll improve as he gets older! MIL went to sit with them and my two teenage nephews last week, interrupting their Xbox game. I've never heard such a one sided conversation Grin

TeddybearBaby · 15/11/2018 18:21

I’m really proud of my nearly 12 year old because he talks to adults SO well and I really didn’t. I was painfully shy when I was younger and it’d come across as rude I’m sure.

I think I would just talk to him and see how he feels. If he finds it hard he might just need a bit of help? I don’t think it’s a boy thing. Teenagers are classically moody as well don’t forget so I wouldn’t panic basically. Good luck 💐

junebirthdaygirl · 15/11/2018 18:28

Last thing you want to do is make him conscious of it. Sounds like a regular teenager. Both my ds went through a similiar stage as did their friends. Now they are all very confident with adults . When their friends came out of that stage l was thinking.." hello is that really you..you sound so mature..l hardly recognise you!!"
Just keep chatting to him yourself in a normal way and he will suddenly shine.

Summeristhebest · 15/11/2018 19:40

We try to get him to talk about his day etc at meal times. Some days (occasionally) he can be really animated about something that happened, but generally he's neither up or down and quite keen to get away and carry on with what he was doing before tea. We're not really getting any other teenager angst so I suppose I should be grateful.

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Rachelover40 · 15/11/2018 19:41

He sounds fairly typical for his age.

RedSkyLastNight · 15/11/2018 20:05

My DS doesn't like to talk "under pressure" so if I ask him about his day when I get in I'll get a reply in mono-syllables. But quite often when he's more relaxed and doesn't feel that he has to talk (in the car is quite often a good place as you are focussed on driving rather than him) he will actually talk at some length.

Summeristhebest · 15/11/2018 20:28

Yes DS is like this too - more talkative in car, out and about etc. Actually, so is DH...

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lifecouldbeadream · 15/11/2018 21:50

There is a reason Kevin and Perry is funny.... it’s because broadly it’s true. He’ll grow out of it.

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