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Expert Q&A
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| By Sonny Elliott Family Counselor/Author | ||
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My son is 17 and likes to sleep out at friends' homes more than he likes to be at home with us. We have a loving supportive family and the parents of his friends are home when he is there, but it seems that he likes to be out of the house as much as possible. Is this normal? He and his friends like to go to lunch, dinner, hang out and watch movies. He just wants to socialize everyday! Is this abnormal?
If this is your only concern with this young man, you are to be congratulated and acknowledged for getting your job done in rearing him!
Not only is this behavior, at this time, very normal, it is an essential element in his maturity -- that is to say he has the security and nurturing of his home environment, as well as, an experience of beginning to move away emotionally from his home by being with his friends.
There is nothing inappropriate with him wanting to socialize every day, especially if he is maturing in other areas as well, such as completing his chores at home. Also, he may well be bonding with friends that will support him during these next years as he matures emotionally.
Take a deep breath, bask for a bit and keep being great parents!
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