Teenagers

[pinkbabytots]

I am a single parent with a 13 year old son. Although he's only 13 years old he looks like an 18 year as he is over six foot tall and is very stocky. Just recently he has started to use very threatening behaviour towards me when he carn't have his own way. It's a bit worrying sometimes because he is very strong. I don't have any family that live close by and my son doesn't see his father. Just wondering if there are any support groups that could help.

[DivaDebs]

Hello there. I'm sorry you're having this tough time... I'm not sure about support groups (and don't know which area you live in), but I would speak to your GP and ask - they will be bound to know.

Good luck.

[B00]

Not sure how much help these will be or if any are very relevant, but several links here for you took at.

Good luck :-)

http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-violence?gclid=CK bRqrHazokCFQZhEAod4DktOw

[andy-hughes]

Sorry to hear about this.

Your son is going through a typical adolescent phase - finding his place in the family, and the world - and often teenagers overcomepnsate for their insecurity by being overly brash and aggressive. They are hyper-senstivie to any percevied slight, and can loose their tempers in an instant.

These problems are exacerbated by your son's physical size, and i am sure he does not inted to frighten you, and would be upse to hear that he does.

The way around it is to make sure you reassure him that you love him - he's never too big for a cuddle from his mum! - and that everything you do and say is based on keeping him safe and happy.

Find a quiet time to tell him that his tempers upsets you, but don;t say he frightens you - merely that he makes you sad, and you know he doesn;t mean to, but must learn to curb his temper.

You must maintain your status at all times, but hopefully without confrontation. If it does escalate, remain calm, and remind him of your status, and his, and the way they relate to each oither.

Have a word with his teachers and explain the situation, and ask them to be sure to enforce a sense of discipline and respect which is so important to boysa t this stage.

This is a phase, and it does pass - so don't worry unduly.

Good luck

[pinkbabytots]

Thank you all for your help with my problem.

The website mentioned by Boo was quite good. Thanks Andy-hughes for your advice and suggestions. He does have plenty of cuddles but I think your right about remaining calm and explaining to him that he's making me sad. I think your also right about reminding him about his and my status. I feel that with not having his father around he has grown up to quickly trying to be the man about the house.

Thank you taking the time to reply.