Helping or crushing self esteem???

did you ever take him in for counseling?

" just my Opinion"

We go the 24th.... Thank You so much!!!

Elizabeth is a discussion leader for arizonamoms she writes about everything from her needing mommy advice to crazy and silly stuff that happens. She lives in the West Valley with her husband and 3 children.

I'm not knocking counseling, but I don't think that's what your son needs. I'd suggest finding him a trustworthy male teenaged babysitter; there are kids in several area high schools (including the Roman Catholic Schools) who need to fulfill community service credits. The point of hiring the babysitter is for the teen to spend his time engaging your son in entertaining activities, and to model appropriate behavior.

I think that you're just fine, but boys relate to one another completely differently than girls do. 11 year-old girls can synthesize advice and apply it; boys aren't at the same cognitive level, and they need to see it to make use of it.

Your best friend isn't right, either. The advice you had for him wasn't offbase; it just, in my opinion, isn't enough for him to modify his behavior to the desired end. Thanks to you, he's motivated to make some changes. With a teen mentor, he can make them and feel better about himself.

A piece of an article on CNN.com - I thought this was an interesting article. I actually read it yesterday.

"In one study, researchers at the University of Edinburgh suggest that genes account for about 50% of the variation in people's levels of happiness — the underlying determinant being genetically determined personality traits, like "being sociable, active, stable, hardworking and conscientious," says co-author Timothy Bates. What's more, says Bates, these happiness traits generally come as a package, so that if you have one you're likely to have them all."

To see the complete article :

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1721954,00.html

just~me

All kids are going to make social mistakes. Peers will teach your son that he tends to stand too close. The question is, did you jump the gun and not give your son a chance to get these lessons by trial and error? OR...do you sincerely believe that your son isn't able to pick up on the social cues from his peers? Sometimes, just when we're worried most about these things, a few months later, we see that our kids have made the necessary adjustments. But, during those months we can worry a lot. But, if you see a lifelong pattern of your son lagging significantly behind in learning from social cues, then there is therapy available to help teach these skills. These skills come naturally to some, but others have to work at them, but he can learn them. It sounds like your son handled the advice just fine. Maybe you can practice with him? He's probably used to being physically close with you and just needs more peer experience.

"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein

You're getting a lot of great advice. Here's something else to think about: you may want to get his hearing tested. People with hearing problems often stand close to hear better; his hearing may be slightly off, thus the need to stand closer. Also, you could also consider a Big Brother who would provide a good role model.

Karina Bland is raising her 9-year-old son in Tempe with a lot of love, humor and support from her friends and family. A longtime journalist covering child welfare and education issues for The Arizona Republic, she blogs about raising good kids.