Parenting Pre-Teen Boys

Now that you are realizing that mommy's little brat isand happenings of the day. This way ultimately, he
not so little after all, you are finding it hard to controlwould also start sharing.
him. Instead of the small cars and toys for hisDo not forget that your child too has respect.
birthday gift, he is more into military gifts and militaryScreaming or insulting him in front of people will not
decals. What you are observing are the signs ofmake him better anyway. If you speak harshly to
maturity. Even though your son has not hit thehim in front of people, it is going to put a really bad
teenage years yet, he has made it difficult for youimpact on his emotional development. The ultimate
to control him. After all, you cannot be the same oldway to change the behavior of your son is to talk to
over-caring mother now. He is growing up, and yourhim about it politely.
parenting might need some modification.The personality that a boy develops is largely
Your son now demands a little independence, but youdependent upon the company he has at this age. To
cannot deny the fact that he is still young. Youcheck this, call his friends over for a get together or
cannot just hand him the car keys and let him drive,an overnight. This way you will get to meet all the
after all he is not old enough to do that. Instead, givefriends he hangs out with. It will assure you that his
him independence in the decisions he makes on hiscompany is acceptable or not, or whether these
own. Do not stress him to dress up the way youfriends are responsible for the change in the behavior
want to. You might like what you wore to school,he is showing.
but he likes what his friends wear at school. SmallIt is important that you know that young boys are
quarrels like these can be left entirely up to him.going to be men in future, and therefore, over
However, big issues like your son insisting you torestriction would not keep them bound to your rules.
place the TV in his room; should definitely not beThey would ultimately run for freedom and the
acceptable to you.respect they did not get. Thus, to be a good parent,
Silent children are mysteries. It is better that you doyou need to play a fair game and avoid unnecessary
not let them stay that way. The best way to parentrestrictions. If you are a single mother, things are
your child is to be friends with him. Talk to him aboutgoing to be more difficult for you. This is because
the day he had at school, or how his new pianoyou would want to confine him with yourself but that
lesson was. However, make sure you do not turnwould only turn him into a girl mentally. And, that will
into the interrogative-kind. If your child is quiet andnot be acceptable to them!
does not share much, start sharing your experiences