Any parent knows that when your kids struggle, you struggle too. We always want to find a way to keep our kids safe from hurt and pain. But, sometimes, we can't always protect them.
Any parent knows that when your kids struggle, you struggle too. We always want to find a way to keep our kids safe from hurt and pain. But, sometimes, we can't always protect them.
Cliques and popularity tend to create insecurities in kids, especially those who are quieter and reserved.
His son has a hard time making friends, and it's truly caused some problems for him in his personal life.
"My oldest turns 14 tomorrow. He has always struggled to make friends and it has gotten harder as he has gotten older. Elementary school was hard but middle school was downright brutal."
"He's got a lot of issues with confidence, codependency, and empathy. Combine that with not liking things that most teen boys are into (sports, girls, social media, etc) and he's left out even in groups that initially accept him."
"We encouraged him to join clubs but haven't had much success in forming real friendships that sustain outside of school."
"I asked him what he wants to do for his birthday tomorrow and he said he just wants to sleep in without his siblings waking him up. I asked if he wanted to go out to dinner and he declined."
"He asked for us to not get him a cake either and doesn't really want his birthday acknowledged. I'm certain it's because of the lack of friends issue."
"When he was 7 and no one came to his party, we were still able to make it fun for him. I wish he was 7 again."
One person said:
"My brother was similar with just one friend in high school, but has made friends in his late teens early 20s by the app Meetups. He mostly goes to ten pin bowling ones. He now has a few friends and they're close."
"I was a loner in middle school and high school. I did not do drugs or drink. I also did not do sports. Eventually I made a few friends but it was something I had to discover on my own. I know it made my mom sad and worried. Sometimes kids don’t fit into the typical box and it can be isolating."
No one ever said being a parent is easy, but at least parents can seek out advice and support online.