My sons are 13 and 12. They have always been the best of friends but have started to grow apart this year. They never had similar interest but were always able to make it work. Not so much anymore.The older one is going through puberty and is obviously becoming more interested in girls. Things like clothing have suddenly become important and school dances are no longer dismissed. He's popular, athletic, and well liked. He doesn't hurt for friends but the younger one has always latched on to his brother. He does have some friends but he never invites them over. We are at the point now where we are considering letting him spend more time online because that's the only peer interaction he has without school (through online gaming). My husband is annoyed by how much time he spends online, especially on the weekends or school holidays, but I don't what to isolate him from everyone. I have suggested he join some school clubs but he has turned them all down. He briefly considered a sport before deciding against it. He's unwilling to put himself out there because he hates rejection. He gets upset that his brother doesn't want to build Lego with him anymore or finish a puzzle together. I tell him that they are in two different stages in life and that it's okay but he shuts down.Before anyone says it, the older one does still make time for the younger one. The spent time together yesterday after school but the oldest had to leave to go to practice and then went to a friends house to work on homework before I picked him up. That's when the younger one retreats to his online world. I have heard that spending too much time online contributes to depression in teens but I'm at a loss for what else to do. via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2Q2ye82
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