teenage heartbreak

[nearlyemptynes]

My 18 year old son has been with his girlfriend for 8 months and they were friends for 12 months before that. They were best friends as well as BF GF. Its that same old story she has gone away to uni and after a few weeks there has finished with him. They both say they love each other and both say they dont want anyone else and will be loyal. He is heartbroken. Any tips?

What’s he doing? Working? Uni next year?

I had this with my DS. It was heartbreaking to watch him suffer. I was just very supportive, encouraged him to see friends and was very careful not to bad mouth her. It took him a while and I was very worried about him not eating etc but he came out the other side. Unfortunately it’s only time that can help.

Well, if I were you, I would not be sad. It's a reality of modern life that it is very difficult to be in a serious relationship at 18 and also do well in education/training.

I don't know whether he's studying/training. If he isn't, this is a good opportunity to think about it. Tell him to take the chance, while he doesn't have kids or a mortgage or serious work responsibilities, to think about how to better himself.

If he is studying/training, I would tell him to keep busy. He shouldn't be sitting around in his room thinking about the situation. Encourage him to join a club (if he's a student) or get on meetup.com or join a community football team or whatever. Or volunteer. If you see him moping, have him clean something.

He is busy, he has just started an apprenticeship, which he loves, he has friends, plays football once a week, plays in a band....I guess time is a healer.

Oh bless him. There's no pain like it.
Let him take the lead and give him comfort on his ques.

Maybe a few extra treats? His fav takeaway . Maybe nice lunch somewhere?

It's probably best for both as he can get out and enjoy his young years to the full - they may just reconnect one day!

I know I know. When she went away she said she would miss him and he told her, you can't spend all your time missing me you need to go and have fun. So sad.

It sounds like you've raised a healthy son who is doing well then and don't need to worry. He'll be OK. In that case, I agree with @Mangotango39 that you should throw some extra treats his way. Let him have some extra love and any new experiences you can think of to keep his brain busy and happy.