Not sure whats up with my 12 year old

[Flowerpot1985]

My 12 year old came home from school yesterday very quiet and ive no idea why or what has happened.

He looks sad and hasnt spoken much. Hes in in year 7 and has been fine up until now. I have tried to speak to him several times since he got home yesterday and he gets cross and says nothing is wrong and he is tired.

He is generally quite closed but happy so im worried why hes suddenly so quiet.

I did have a check on his mobile and there were a texts from a boy at school yesterday, which were not overly friendly however nothing bad. He would be fuming if he knew id looked at his phone as he has texts from his girlfriend on there. He has been on his phone a lot since he got home yesterday.

Any tips what I should do or how I can get him to open up.

Thank you, im so concerned and hardly slept last night worrying.

I have always told my kids if they need me to know something but don’t feel they can say it out loud then the text me. Not sure if that would work for you or your family dynamic.

Take him for a drive or a walk. So that you are not looking at each other it makes it easier to talk

He would be fuming if he knew id looked at his phone as he has texts from his girlfriend on there.

Fuming???? He’s 12 years old and thinks he has unmonitored use of a mobile phone 🤯

I'd back off a little bit. Keep an eye on him. Let him know that he can come to you with absolutely anything, even if he's done something bad or been threatened not to tell you.

Are you a good person to talk to in a crisis? Honestly? If not, is there someone like an uncle/grandparents/family friend that he might feel better confiding in?

This.

If his attendance is good I’d also offer him a day off school to ‘catch up on sleep’ and have a breather from whatever is going on. But I’d also take the day off and be present but not in their face pottering about the house, maybe take them out for lunch.