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Teenagers

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

Prom worries

12 replies

dtl · 28/06/2022 17:12

Anyone else have a teenager worried about Prom? My ds struggles with friendships at school. I think he just hasn't found his 'tribe'. He prefers girls company to boys but then seems to be in the position of not fitting in with girls (because he is a boy) but not fitting in with boys (because he prefers to hang out wih girls). He is nervous about prom and hasnt been contacted by anyone since leaving school after the gcses so now even more nervous. I have suggested he contact people which he has done but for him it's the whole thing of no one 'bothering' to contact him. No one posted photos of him from shirt signing etc. My point is he's not just 'waiting' for people, he just doesn't want to seem desperate (which he is 😔) I feel so much for him but have run out of ideas of how to make him feel good about himself...and how to reassure him all will be wel. He's a lovely person...kind, funny, bright. Anyone else in this situation and any tips?

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whowhatwerewhy · 28/06/2022 17:35

Just don't go .

timeforacuppa28 · 29/06/2022 11:27

I've just seen your message as was about to post something similar about my son and his upcoming prom. The point about 'not finding his tribe' really hit home. It is so hard for them to fit in sometimes and I completely understand that they feel like everyone else has it sorted, or is more confident and popular. Does your DS WANT to go to Prom? If he does, then if it was me I would be trying to find a way to make that as easy/painless as possible. I think if he can go and enjoy it, then that would be a positive step. My DS is the same about not making an effort to keep in contact, make arrangements, etc. but then disappointed when he is left out, or left with nothing to do.

I'm trying to coach my DS a bit in the way he communicates with friends, so that he stands a better chance of finding out what is going on. He doesn't really like this involvement and does try to shut me out, but I figure his way hasn't really got him the result he wanted so its time to try something different.

My other thought is that he needs to keep busy. He has just come out of the end of a really long period of hard work, but in a routine where everything is planned out for him. To go from that to doing nothing can be really hard. Would he be interested in getting a job, particularly one where he is working with people, which might help improve his inter-personal skills, and may make some new friends.

I really feel for you and your son and hope he can find a way of enjoying his prom. I feel exactly the same that my DS is bright, funny, etc. but he just struggles to push himself forward and so he's not giving people the chance to see what he is about.

TooManyAnimals94 · 29/06/2022 11:34

Agree with PP who suggested PT job. I started pot washing at that age and the slightly older crowd at the pub became much closer friends than my school friends. I even married one of them!
I was never interested in cliques and had a few good friends but the only two I see from school are the male friends I had. If he's one of those people like me who gets on better with the opposite sex he will find work/uni better as those around him mature.
I'm fortunate as well that I'm a horsey person and my best friends are the ones I bonded with through various yard jobs and even pony club when I was really young.
Take comfort that he will find friends once he finds himself (such a cunty expression but not sure how else to phrase it!)

Twizbe · 29/06/2022 11:43

Don't go. Proms in year 11 were a new thing when I was in that year but I didn't go. I had a small circle of friends but none of us were keen.

I went to a 6th form college and that was where I met my tribe, then again at uni I got a great group of friends. I went to my leavers balls then.

A lot of people find better friendships later on. Especially if they've been with broadly that same group of kids since primary school.

dtl · 29/06/2022 16:34

thank you so much for your message. It really helps to know one is not alone! Funnily enough he has just applied for a job at a local pub and , as you said, I think he'll find confidence meeting people out of school and getting on with them without all the pressures of school and how to fit in. He gets on well with adults who see him for who he is and not 'uncool' or 'strange' because he hangs out with girls etc
I do hope your son finds his tribe too. thank you again for your support, it means alot.

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dtl · 29/06/2022 16:38

thank you for your reply. I agree with your last statement that once he finds himself he'll find friends. I know he is a lovely warm, friendly kid but as the previous person said, probably doesn't always show that to others. He is shy and self conscious. Here's hoping...
With all these replies I have to say I am feeling more and more optimistic.
Hurrah for mumsnetters!

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dtl · 29/06/2022 16:38

I rarely write on this so apologies that I am getting replies to messages in the wrong places!

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Tulipvase · 29/06/2022 16:45

My daughter is the same and has just been to her prom. She does have a couple of friends who are similar to her so they didn’t go together ( she didn’t want all the unnecessary pomp involving limos etc). I was more worried than her I think, as I am aware that she doesn’t fit in the usual social norms. But it was ok in the end.

Is there a meal - does he know what table he is on?

Im also hoping that sixth form will be a better fit for her and also keen on her getting a job.

dtl · 29/06/2022 20:44

yes there is a meal and they were allowed to put down names of people they would like to be with so fingers crossed...
he is staying there for 6th form which is why I am keen for him to go (some posts suggested he just give it a miss) but I think he will regret it if he just hides away from it...tbh I think he does want to go, he's just nervous about being on his own...we're on standby with the car!
I'm glad your daughter's went ok. And yes am hoping some people will have left (who made school difficult for him) and hoping others will have matured and/or not be so easily influenced by the unkind ones in 6th form.
Best of luck to your daughter.

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timeforacuppa28 · 29/06/2022 20:53

No problem, I came on here this morning to post about my son, only to find someone else in the same boat, but that is such a help. My DS finds the whole communication about socialising really hard, so this is really stressing him out. I know he’ll find his way eventually but it’s hard to see them upset!

hope the prom and the pub job go well

Tulipvase · 30/06/2022 21:05

dtl · 29/06/2022 20:44

yes there is a meal and they were allowed to put down names of people they would like to be with so fingers crossed...
he is staying there for 6th form which is why I am keen for him to go (some posts suggested he just give it a miss) but I think he will regret it if he just hides away from it...tbh I think he does want to go, he's just nervous about being on his own...we're on standby with the car!
I'm glad your daughter's went ok. And yes am hoping some people will have left (who made school difficult for him) and hoping others will have matured and/or not be so easily influenced by the unkind ones in 6th form.
Best of luck to your daughter.

My daughter knew in advance which table she would be on - would it be worth you contacting the school to ask, perhaps it would make him feel more confident about going. I was going go speak to the HOY but then my daughter told me she was sat with her friends.

Hope the ball goes well for him.

dtl · 01/07/2022 16:23

You're so kind, thank you for the message of support.
I am going to contact the school now to ask about his table, that will help. That's a good tip!

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