My son has developed this way of interacting with me that is set to “surly”. It’s hard to explain but like he “fakes” being cross / annoyed with me. It’s like the default- for example I took him shopping yesterday and we split up and then when he saw me in the car park he had this annoyed look on his face. He wasn’t annoyed with me but he was pretending to be. It’s hard to explain.
He’s a terrible conversationalist- if he’s going out I’ll ask “who with” and the reply is “people”. In general trying to talk to him is really hard and begins to feel like an interrogation with monosyllabic answers.
He’s always keen to socialise with my sisters family but then says nothing when we are with them or doesn’t chip in to the conversation but starts talking about something else.
He also keeps winding his dad up and belittling him.
I love him and I know he loves me but he’s stuck in this “wind them up” way. Hopefully it’s a phase…