How can I help my 15 years-old son who is shy and nervous? he has no friends and is always playing video games

Answer 1

OK,
for me being a 14 year old girl life is so hard.
i mean i am a NERVOUS/SHY person really bad.
and well no friends except maybe 2.
But all that friend crap doesn't mean a thing to me!
half the time as a teen and having a lot of friends all they do is get you in some sort of trouble.
would your son like if he knew you were putting me down OVER the Internet?
there's nothing wrong with being shy or nervous. and I PLAY VIDEO GAMES To.'not all the time'
but come on, at least hes not out doing drugs and drinking! right?

love your son, and accept him for who he is. im sure hes a wonderful person.

-Emily

Answer 2

Actually, the Nintendo Wii is a really good idea. Not that I'm trying to make a plug for it, but it is focused around group games. Get games that are more fun with other people so that he will be more inclined to have people over, even if it's just for video games. All relationships have to start with something.

Also, getting together with a fellow mom is a great idea, the two of you can hang out, and then bring him along and he can hang out with her son. Some kids get along better with people younger, and some with those who are older, you know your son best, so make the call on that yourself.

Church, especially Wednesday night and Sunday night church is a great way to encourage interaction with other kids. It is a relaxed setting where many of them will hang out in different numbers. He may prefer a smaller group, since it sounds like he's an introvert. Talk to the youth pastor, I'm sure he'll be glad to help him feel welcome.

A lot of people are more introvert, and that's okay, he may never have a lot of friends because he prefers to have a smaller group of closer friends. One isn't better than the other. But it is good to help him to have some friends. No friends is always a bad thing.

Answer 3

if you would like to make a true impact on his life. Sometimes it calls for some hard loving. Limit his video game time to a minimum, and I cannot stress how important extra ciricular activities are. You are constantly surrounded by people the same age which makes the process of finding friends a whole lot easier. He is only 15, you need to show him how life can really be outside of video games. Often the problem is children are never introduced to things so how are they supposed to do anything about it. A parent needs to step up, no matter how mad they get in the present. Later on down the road he will thank you i guarentee you! Also pay attention to his self confidence, he needs love and attention from you more than anyone.

Answer 4

My husband (get that, husband) used to be the same way growing up. His family can not believe that he would have married such an outspoken woman. He didn't come out of his shell until he went to college - he became a different person and started getting involved. He is still shy and nervous at time (our first year was hilarious) but overall he will probably grow out of it.

15 is part of the puberty years when they like to be alone anyway. Just monitor that he is enjoying himself and not depressed - and let nature do the rest. You can broaden his shell by taking him to video game trading auctions, or to buy a video game - and in the process go out to eat - that will help a lot. Enter him into video game competitions - his natural testoterone levels will peak and he will meet new people.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

Everyone, especially young people, needs to be physically active, so even if he's not super athletic, he should be in some kind of sport or outdoor activity. These types of activities will not only help him develop his physical strength, but will also build his confidence and get him interacting with other people his age. Think outside the box...there are a lot of different kinds of activities out there. It's not just football & baseball! If you're near the ocean, there are oodles of water sports. If you're near mountains, there are probably hiking or mountain bike clubs. What does he like? Figure that out & run with it. The effect on his brain & hormones once he becomes physically active on a regular basis should be enough to bring him out of his shell & have him enjoying himself in no time!

Answer 6

Encourage him to take up a sport, or an after school activity, so that he is not playing so many video games. Talk with him, spend time with him. If he has no friends, then you need to be the one he confides in. Take him out to dinner on friday nights. Set up a game night. Have fun with him. Be open with him.

Answer 7

Peersonal experience?? I'd say get chatting to one of your fellow mums at school, Only 1!!! Arrange a coffee evening and ensure to take your son. His 1 new friend will have a load more and therefore, So has he. Only 1 coffee evening tho, One friend is better than 15 for a meaning full buddy. Rob x x x

Answer 8

I think that we learn by example Have friends come around have cook outs etc. then try to help your son socialize offer to take him to outings sports events encourage him to make friends tell him if he would like to invite a friend from school to come over for a visit that you will do whatever it take so that they will have fun fix them a nice lunch take them to the arcade etc. if he is nerves his confidence may need working on who better than a mother to help give her son confidence so work on this and hopefully he will come around also if you know people who are out going try to expose him to them we learn by example good luck I hope he pulls through

Answer 9

He needs to learn to talk to people. Have him 'practice ' on people he already knows a little that are 'non-threatening' like older relatives, church members, neighbors, little kids.
Is he happy? Does he get good grades? Are you in contact with his teachers or counselor?
If you don't get positive answers, he might need to see a therapist. He could have a problen or just be very shy. A therapist helped my junior high,anti-social, introvert become an outgoing, sociable, honor student senior!

Answer 10

Help him to build his confidence. Is there any outside activity that he is remotely interested in? Bike riding, Skating, Swimming. Check your local Community Center or youth groups. Look for any sign of interest. Allow him to change his interests.