How to Help My Teenage Son Fit in Socially

Teenagers can go through difficult social patches that make it hard to make friendships or fit in socially. For your teenage son, this is the first time they will have a taste of adult-like competition from other boys and girls. As a parent, it may be difficult to keep tabs on your teenage son̵7;s social status but noticing major rifts will call for careful intervention.

Instructions

    • 1

      Notice warning signs of fading social connectivity. It is healthy for teens to have phone calls or to desire their private space but if you see your son is becoming too withdrawn it may be time to help. Recognize signs of dropping grades, little to no extracurricular involvement and low self-esteem in your teen as warnings.

    • 2

      Stage a social intervention. Take the direct approach by talking to your teen about how they are doing at school. Take interest in their personal life to help build your relationship so they will trust and talk to you about personal issues. Avoid being too forward or placing too much pressure on your son to talk as this can quickly make him withdraw.

    • 3

      Layout options to your teenage son of ways you are able to aide. Ask for input on how to fix the problem. Remember that being popular is not the same as having a healthy social life. Offer to enroll your son into activities that he will enjoy to help encourage him to branch out socially in a comfortable environment.

    • 4

      Avoid over-involvement. Confronting your teen in front of a friend or in public will more than likely backfire into a negative situation. Nagging your son about his social status places negative pressure on his shoulders and may cause him to regress. Show your support buy allowing him some freedom to further develop their own his identity.

    • 5

      Pay attention to what he says. If your son is telling you that he is being made fun of because of his clothes for instance, then getting him involved in more potentially embarrassing social situations is not likely the answer. Place value in what your teen has to say. It may be as simple as allowing him to choose his own clothes for instance.

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