Hi, I'm Sam, I googled my issue and this was the first website to come up. I've browsed a few members comments and reaslised this is a great forum. My boys are 16 (and a half) and 13. I'm a single mum after the rather sudden death of the love of my life and the boys' Dad 5 and a half years ago. It's been an incredible learning curve but fortunately we live in an old fashioned part of the world having moved from London to the outskirts of Sydney where kids are much freer than in the city and the community is loving and supportive. Generally my kids are fantastic young men! Just recently, however, my older son, who's always been an internal kind of guy (unlike his expressive and "heart on his sleeve" bro) has started to show disrespect for me. I thought I had self respect from all the personal development courses I've done, although I know it's an ongoing journey(!!) and I'm a great believer in life "out there" mirroring your inner self. But I'm struggling with this one. I understand he's maturing and trying to find his place in the world but why does he have to be so rebellious to make his mark. I don't want to just lie down and take it, I want to be heard as much as he does! I just wanted family time at dinner and he wanted to have his phone out at the dinner table! I told him to put it away and that was the beginning of the drama!! Anyway, it leaves me feeling alone and sad knowing how much i love him but how little he realises. People say that boys come back to you in their 20's.... well, without wanting to wish my life away I'm beginning to look forward to that day when.......... !  ... View more