It was bound to happen and you aren’t surprised. Your baby boy is growing up and has now found himself in that fuzzy area of life where he is no longer a child, not quite a teen and still far from a man. His body is changing almost daily. And as a parent, you can get confused and sometimes frustrated with his moods and behavior. Take heart. While it may be challenging, this is an exciting time in the life of your son.

A boy gets more freedom as he enters fifth and sixth grade. At school and at home he might be taking on more responsibilities like paper routes, various patrol or monitoring duties and more physically demanding chores. At times your preteen son might want to rewind, go back to life as a child without the added work and demands on his time and energy.

This is simply natural and can often be overcome with encouraging words and displays of gratitude. Try not to come down too heavy on him, guide him towards manhood with positive talks and expressed pride.

You may not understand it, but gaming can become more than a hobby for a preteen boy. It’s possible that all those hours in front of the television or at the computer workstation desk will turn into a problem. This doesn’t happen to all kids, but watch for signs that the gaming world is becoming more important to him than the real world and set time limits when necessary.

Your son may also be growing almost over night. His clothes will quickly become too small and he could be discovering a new sense of fashion. Look at buying clothes in sets – one to fit now and a similar style in a larger size to fit soon after. Some adjustable items can be purchased in men’s sizes. Winter coats, gloves and socks might work. Men’s watches are perfect and will help give him a handle on his responsibilities.

As he grows your son may find his coordination has a few issues. If he enjoys a certain sport, encourage him to keep at it and his muscles will adapt. If he is nervous to try new things or not comfortable with this new strength, suggest other physical activities that will be beneficial to him. Things like swimming, weight lifting and cycling can all be done together and without pressure. You can get involved as well by buying mountain bike or exercise equipment as a family.

Make sure your son knows that you are on his side through this awkward time. Be encouraging, positive and understanding. Taking time to be with him and communicating your love will give him a firm foundation.

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