Good Inside with Dr. Becky

My Tween is Pulling Away. Is That Normal?

12 snips
Mar 19, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Jennifer, a mother of an 11-year-old son, shares her experience of navigating the emotional distance that often comes with tweens entering middle school. She grapples with balancing her son's newfound independence while seeking ways to reconnect. The conversation dives into the challenges of communication barriers, the significance of supporting her child's identity formation, and the importance of engaging in shared interests, like video games, to strengthen their relationship during this transitional phase.
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ANECDOTE

Son's Changing Behavior

  • Jennifer's son comes home from school and answers "good" to how his day was, then goes quiet.
  • He seems withdrawn with his mom but lively when playing video games with friends, causing her concern.
INSIGHT

Separate Worry from Self

  • Dr. Becky points out Jennifer's internal worry as an "alarm bell" that isn't necessarily all of her.
  • Recognizing this "part" as separate can help understand and address the situation with her son.
ADVICE

Name Your Worry

  • Name the worrying "part" of you to create distance and observe its patterns.
  • This allows for more objective responses instead of being consumed by the worry.
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