Emotion: fear
Problem: Issues with Children
Situation: I fear my child is in bad company. Recently his behavior has changed to the worst. I don't know how to approach the issue.

assistant: Hello my name is Sharon, how are you today? :)

user: Hi Sharon. Am good just concerned about my son.

assistant: Oh I see. What's happening with your son?

user: I suspect my son is in bad company. His most recent behaviour is so different from what I am used to

assistant: Oh that's hard to deal with. My daughter ran with a bad crowd for a while and I remember the deep worry. What sort of behaviour are you noticing? How old is he?

user: My son is 15. Recently he's keeping to himself and mostly stays locked in his room. He barely allows anyone in.

assistant: And when you try and talk to him about it what does he say?

user: He says he's studying online. But I suspect he's doing other stuff online apart from study

assistant: Oh I see. Apart from isolating how is he doing otherwise, like at school? Is he still seeing his friends at all? It can be scary not knowing what our kids are up to online.

user: Not really. He just has this one particular friend who comes over sometimes and they lock themselves in the room.

assistant: Hmm. So a lot of mystery. I can understand you being worried. Is he your only child?

user: I am so scared I don't want to confront him I have always tried to show him how much I trust him as away to make him feel responsible enough Yes. He is my only child and I am single parent

assistant: Thats good parenting! Perhaps if you frame it as being about you, e.g. "I am getting really worried, can you please explain....it's affecting me (affecting my sleep/work/whatever" .... maybe it will inspire him to be more forthcoming Any signs of depression? I have been depresed before, and self-isolating can be a symptom, I've been there...

user: Never thought of it that way. That could be a possibility. But he always seems happy and we chat a lot onlythat he his behind closed doors in his room for a long time everyday. Am also concerned about the friend who comes over. I don't really know his family or home just that he's from the neighborhood and they go to the same school.

assistant: Hmm. My other thought is tell him what you just told me, that you have been trying to show him that you trust him....but be honest and tell him you are afraid. Hopefully, he won't want you feeling that way, and will open up a bit. Yes I can see that being concerning when you know nothing about the friend. Yet you walk a fine line because he needs the freedom and autonomy to choose his friends without explanation required...it's such a balancing act. I can tell you that I have raised a daughter, and that teen years were tougher than toddlerhood. Lots of worry, but she came through it and is fine now. I wonder if there is a teacher he is close to that you could bring your concerns to, perhaps the teacher may have some insight about yoru son to offer?

user: I find reassurance from your words. Its been tough for me this far we have come with my son and I want us to be close even as he growing up to become a young man. I have a good relationship with their teacher and will definitely give her a friendly call to know more from her.

assistant: Oh good. And it may be just a normal part of his development. Teens pull away from parents, peer group becomes far more important. It may be as simple as that. It took my daughter about 15 years to "come back to me" and now we have a close relationship again....so even if he seems to be drifting away know that it's normal and that will change in the future.

user: Good to know that from an experienced parent. I will try communicate my worries and my intensions to him. I hope he will understand and not pull away.

assistant: And in the meantime remember to take extra good care of yourself :) Sometimes as moms we forget to do special things for ourselves. You are doing the hardest and most imporant job in the world so it's important to recognize that and reward yourself for it. I hope that conversation goes well for you, that you will have with him.

user: Thank you for your time and experienced advise.

assistant: Oh you're so welcome, it's been a pleasure speaking with you.

user: The pleasure was all mine. Bye.