Hi all
My son is 13.5 years old and is very impulsive and likes to take risks for the thrill and excitement.
things we have caught him doing on several occasions -
setting fire to objects in the house (cotton pads, nerf bullets, melting pens)
climbing onto the garage roof and jumping off / free running style gymnastic stunts at local park etc. climbing trees higher than is safe
Wreck less stunts on his mountain bike (ie jumping off things and going down a very steep local hill that really isn’t meant for bikes.
We have found out he has tried both vaping and smoking (but isn’t a regular user of either) He also seems to have a fascination with alcohol and ask questions about ‘how it makes you feel’ He often asks to have wine etc if we are drinking (which we do occasionally let him have under supervision). However a few weeks ago he took a bottle of beer from the fridge while we were out and drank it all.
I guess some of the above is nothing new for teenager behaviour - but it’s earlier than I thought I’d be dealing with it
We have talked to him about the risks he is taking and what could go wrong but it’s almost like he just can’t help himself. He says he gets ‘bored’ and wants ‘new experiences’.
we have tried to encourage him to channel his energy in to things like a mountain bike club or suggested marshal arts etc but he doesn’t like ‘clubs’. He does go to air cadets 2 x per week at least and enjoys that.
We just don’t have the confidence to leave him alone in the house anymore and worry about letting him go out with his friends for fear of what he’ll get up too!
whats normal risk taking at this age?!
thanks