10 y/o DS Emotions

[confusedallday]

Hi,

I am looking for some advice re my 10 year old DS. He has always been emotional, can cry easily, although the past two years have been much much better.

He can get angry and frustrated quickly at times, nothing over the top. This is a recent thing, we are thinking hormones are changing etc.

He's a popular boy, gets on with everyone, is kind and caring, but he is also capable to of defending himself if need both verbally and physically.

This last week he got into an argument with friend, it was a silly argument.
My Son, feeling like he was going to cry, walked away and the other boy followed him (with one of his friends) laughing that he was crying like a "cry baby". This boy then hit my son who then hit back. I have no issue with this, he defended himself. They are back to being mates again.

My concern is that he's getting older and I worry that crying will now be looked at as a sign of weakness.

How do i help him control this? So far I have advised him to try and distract himself when he feels teary.

In no way are we telling him to keep his feelings to himself, he just doesn't want people in school to see him upset.

Any Advice?

Keep reassuring him that tears are not a sign of weakness and that other people who interpret them in that way are wrong.

You son was angry and losing control (feeling tearful is a warning sign) so he walked away. He did the right thing. His friends should have let him be. Following him and taunting is bullying.

thank you for your response. I really appreciate it.

Yeah I understand that they will argue etc but the following him and taunting him does not sit right with me at all.

When I feel myself welling up when it’s inappropriate I focus on my breathing. Box breathing or applied tension through the body while focusing on deep breathing helps. I don’t think I’ve cried against my will in many years doing this.