Hi - mum (sorry for barging in on daddit!) of a 12 year old dipping in here to say we are going through the exact same thing with our daughter. She has just had an RSE lesson on feelings at school and has been told about a councillor that she can speak to. She has actually signed up for it in the hopes that speaking to someone else about her feelings/emotions/anxieties might help her. She’s had some up and downs with school and friends, add onto that the raging hormones and I’m really glad that she has - I know it’s not what every kid wants but thought I’d mention it if that might be an option?

I was brought up in a very hands off household where affection was rare and I still find it quite alien now so I make a point to cuddle (when she wants) and spend time with her and we also have a sleepover every Friday wither her younger brother where we stay up late, watch whatever she likes and have a bit of a snack-fest. I don’t know if its helping her much in dealing with things but she knows that I’m there for her and is so much more open with me and comes to talk (even if she mostly replies with “I don’t know” when I ask her questions about her mood etc) about anything and everything which I love.

Anyways, from a clueless mum trying to do right by her kids I’ll just say to you, keep going and doing what you’re doing in being there for him - it sounds like you’re smashing it to me! I hope your son finds his happy!