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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Normal teen?

2 replies

Felic23 · 16/02/2022 15:03

My Son who has always been conscious of his health and hygiene has over night it seems ( just turned 13) only wants to game online with friends. I have to remind him to brush his teeth wash face etc. He half eats dinner than will eat choc crap and I have to be on his case to say only have a few biscuits etc.
It's only me and him at home, I try to encourage watching shows together, going for walks, days out. He will come but doesn't want to. He doesn't seem to want to spend any time with me at all. I have to be strict on screen time and have limited it to 4 hours a day in half term with a break. Seems a lot to me but all his friends seem to go on whenever they like.
I'm just struggling with the change from energetic health conscious young boy to stroppy tired no enthusiasm for anything except gaming with friends.
Is this normal turning into a teenager behaviour?
He also loved to read, now will not pick up a book unless I insist!
Any advice welcome :) ta

OP posts:
123rd · 16/02/2022 15:06

Sorry ...sounds very 'normal' in my experience. I've tried everything to encourage my DS to participate in other activities.
We do limit his time on screen but if he could he would spend 24-7 gaming /on line.
And he is talking to his mates all the time online so i get that it is his way of socialising. Not what I'd want to spend my free time doing but ...

Felic23 · 16/02/2022 15:37

@123rd thanks for your reply. I guess I need to adapt but it feels like having a toddler again. He was always so self sufficient and enjoyed keeping fit and well and now he just seems grumpy and un interested :/ welcome to the teenage years! Just hope it doesn't last!

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