Dealing with 17 Year Old Boy

Awe, I'm sure that's hard. People will tell you "he's just being 17" and "boys don't want to hang out with their moms at that age", but I'll bet that doesn't make it any easier. Does he like sports? Maybe the two of you could go to a local college game or something. Or take just him out to eat one weeknight if that's possible. Good luck!

Hang in there keep talking to him he is at the stage where he is into the young ladies and he will come around to know mom is number one my son is in his srd year of college he went thru the same thing and now he calls me at the end and the beginning of every class. Let him know that he is the important one not the ladies. He will come to know that and he will come back to you.

Don't take it personally A. C. When the teen years roll around, they think they no longer need us. Keep the closeness and always let him know you're there for him and one day, BAM!, he'll come to you for advice and you'll know again he needs you. :-)

When my son was 17, I felt like we couldn't connect. Some of the things I did to spend time with him were, cooking his favorite meal and sometimes getting him to help. Sometimes we would spend an afternoon out just the two of us and he would pick what to do. It is a stressful time for both you and your son. He is trying to be an adult and you are trying not to hold on too tight. Always let him know you love him and are there when he needs someone to give him a hug or to talk. Things will get easier as he continues to grow and mature.

A. ~
It's all part of the process of cutting the apron strings. That's what I was told by a dear friend of older children as my "miracle baby" (and only child) approached that age. It really helped me put that distancing he was doing in perspective. Though it was difficult for me, I found that if I relaxed and even pulled back somewhat, he has come closer. I do believe boys need to leave the "mom sphere" so they can become men. If we've done our jobs well, they will return to us with confidence, offering love and affection. Be patient, be available, and be loving in your awareness of your child. I wish you well! C.

Tell me about it. Sometimes the only time we see the boy is at dinner.

Do you eat together? Some of our longest conversations are at dinner. I also find that car rides are good places to chat. Let him plug in his iPod or choose the station and ask him about the songs/artists he likes. He doesn't have to look at you, so it's less pressure. I've been known to stop by when he's doing homework or playing a video game and just ask him what he's working on, what game is he playing, what level is he on, etc. Just trying to show interest in him. I don't think he wants the same warm fuzzies that his sister does anyway. But overall, he does his own thing. We just want him to know we're still here for him, and he does come to us when he needs us. I bet he knows you're his cheerleader, it's just that he's, well, a teenage boy.