My son and I have started going to the gym a few months back.
It’s a local one so always a chance of running into people we know, and definitely kids from my son’s school.
Went today and at one point I saw him kind of go away in a corner. I asked what’s wrong and turns out there were a couple of girls from his glass next to where we gonna work out. I understood his embarassment and went back to get my water bottle so we can move on.
Overheard one of the girls talking about my son and how she thinks he’s cute. He’s got a fairly uncommon name, so it was definitely him.
I didn’t tell him yet, cause he’s a teen and easily embarrassed.
Should I? I’ll talk to my daughter (his older sister) and ask her advice.
He was super shy at the gym, so I’m guessing he might have a crush on the girls.
Maybe it’s time for The Conversation - I mean the one about how the communication protocols between teenage males are different from the protocols for communication between teenage males and teenage females. Start him off right, feeling confident that he can interpret the social signals correctly.
I have to say that we (my late partner & I) had to do this with our two boys, as there wasn’t a teenage female in our house while the boys were in their teens, so they were a bit lost to start with. And even then, and especially nowadays, they may not be able to trust their mates to steer them right. And social media including porn is NOT a good guide.
Ignore this if you’ve already dealt with the topic.
My son and I have started going to the gym a few months back.
It’s a local one so always a chance of running into people we know, and definitely kids from my son’s school.
Went today and at one point I saw him kind of go away in a corner. I asked what’s wrong and turns out there were a couple of girls from his glass next to where we gonna work out. I understood his embarassment and went back to get my water bottle so we can move on.
Overheard one of the girls talking about my son and how she thinks he’s cute. He’s got a fairly uncommon name, so it was definitely him.
I didn’t tell him yet, cause he’s a teen and easily embarrassed.
Should I? I’ll talk to my daughter (his older sister) and ask her advice.
He was super shy at the gym, so I’m guessing he might have a crush on the girls.
Parenting, eh?
Maybe it’s time for The Conversation - I mean the one about how the communication protocols between teenage males are different from the protocols for communication between teenage males and teenage females. Start him off right, feeling confident that he can interpret the social signals correctly.
I have to say that we (my late partner & I) had to do this with our two boys, as there wasn’t a teenage female in our house while the boys were in their teens, so they were a bit lost to start with. And even then, and especially nowadays, they may not be able to trust their mates to steer them right. And social media including porn is NOT a good guide.
Ignore this if you’ve already dealt with the topic.
Appreciate the advice. We’ve had plenty of talks around this and his sister is a good source of info and guidance for all of us.
I wish I was better prepared for this, but will let him know tomorrow.
Nobody is ever truly prepared I think. Not even the professional advice givers. So much depends on individual circumstances. You rock as a Dad though.
I try to do my best. It’s not perfect but it’s all I got.
I tell my kids that too. They understand which is all I can ask for
If they grow up to be level-headed compassionate adults, I succeeded.
If you were him, would you want to know?
My teenage self would get more embarrassed. Thankfully he’s got more confidence than I did at his age.
If I was him, and you told me that, I’d be riding that high for months, if not years lol
I thought so too, but my teen self would do nothing with that info and just withdraw more.
He’s not like me in that way thankfully
You’re gym mates now and this is a great opportunity to talk about such things, but listen too.
I think we listen well to both kids. I’ll let him know but make him aware that I’m here for support no matter what.