Welcome to the forum. I can’t believe what you are going through, it’s terrifying. What kind of support do you have now? ... View more

He's not much of a talker, usually I have to give him options e.g. does it feel like anger or sadness?  He said that he felt like a combination of anxiety/overwhelmed/not in a good headspace.  We had a good weekend; he saw friends on Saturday which he said he enjoyed.  He went to school today; seemed happy, TAFE tomorrow so will keep you posted. ... View more

Hi Malik, that information is very helpful as I feel that my son has always needed more space than my other children and he is more introspective.  I wait for him to approach me when he is redy generally but then feel bad that he is not getting enough attention and I'm a bad parent.  Based on what you said, I will trust my instincts and give him the space he needs and not push him.  The pushing has never worked for him anyway!! Thank you, I do feel as if you are describing my son in the way you have shared your own experience. ... View more

Hi, thanks for asking, it's been a rough week...everything was headed in a positive direction as we had engaged my son with one day a week at TAFE while having the other four days at school (he is in year 10) and that looked like a win win.  I found out on Tuesday that although he had set off for TAFE happily he never got there but instead turned around and spent the day at home (but didn't let me know) and couldn't explain why just said he "felt like **bleep**"and when I told him he couldn't go to soccer training (which he loves but I thought was a reasonable consequence of not telling me where he was etc.) he punched a hole in the wall (the second time he's done this now).  He hasn't spoken to me since which I can live with and I know in retrospect it probably would have been better for me to have let him go to training and have a run to get whatever it was out of his system but I was trying to teach him consequences i.e. sometimes you have to do the stuff you don't like eg school/TAFE before you do the things you don't like.  Wrong decision I think.  Anyway, I told him this morning that I love him and we need to have a chat about the hole in the wall and why that happened, and I would like an apology for the way he spoke to me etc.  We will see how it goes. ... View more

I will do that! thanks for your reply :) ... View more

Thank you so much for your reply; I really appreciate your perspective as it helps me to understand my son.  He really has always been very shy and still finds it difficult to look people in the eye.  Being good at sport has helped as it has given him some confidence in himself.  I guess my biggest fear is that he won't be ok but your experience tells me it is possible so i feel better.  Thank you again for sharing! :) ... View more

This is very encouraging to read; sometimes I think kids do really "grow out"of certain behaviours, however the living through it and waiting is so tough...hope things are still going well for you! ... View more

Hi everyone, I joined due to concerns about my 16 year old and have been trying to watch him closely (in a non intrusive way I hope)..spends a lot of time in his room, not super social but has a few friends, has had periods of being very sad, avoiding school, friends etc. but we have seen a paediatrician for a health check.  All good but low in iron, which we are addressing.  he really doesn't like talking about anything personal; if I try to initiate it he tells me to leave the room....  The best way we can communicate is texting!  It's really hard to parent when your child is not a talker!! I guess I just needed some support for me from other parents.. ... View more