Teenage emotional melt down

Agree with all the above. As nannas, if we are lucky enough to have loving contact with our DGC, we have the very privileged, special job of being a wise, non-judgmental, comforting ear where they can offload in safety. I think the last two years have been very strange and very harmful for teenagers. The social interaction that we and our AC took for granted just isn't there - it bothers me greatly that my gorgeous GD and her friends, at 15, have never known the giddy, silly excitement of the school disco for instance. I think young people have become more insular and introverted because they've had no alternative really. You're already doing a great job BigBertha1 as he clearly trusts you enough to open up even a little bit, that's priceless in itself

Teenage years can be hard without covid and all the talk of war - and grim pictures on the news of people suffering. It is good that he can have a weep about it - a healthy response I think.

He is a quiet boy and is just getting himself back into the hurly-burly of normal life after being locked down in various degrees and he may be struggling with this.

He needs to know you are there for him - I am sure he does - and he needs plenty of hugs.

Keep that lovely, caring door open for chats. He has been through a lot as a young man. It was good that he told you he was feeling overwhelmed. You don’t need any specialist skills or to ‘rescue’ him. Just listen. That does wonders for young people.
We can’t promise we know the answers but if we support each other we can feel stronger. ?

Take care with him he’s obviously sensitive I have a friend with a similar aged son who has given up everything his friends his football and only feels safe in his bedroom his bothers older and younger are fine and do all the normal teen stuff
Maybe it was just this particular bar was overwhelming for him or it could be the start of social phobia or panic attacks
Try him having a meal with you all in a quiet place if the same happens his parents may. need to start some dialogue with the doctor

How awful BB! Given all that we have all had to tolerate for the past two years could this be your GS reaction to something 'normal'? I have GC of a similar age, all have been home- schooled, had restrictions imposed on them when they could go back into school, all this and the pressure of exams, assessments, trying to catch-up on missed lessons, getting back to integrating with peers etc can all take its toll.

You mention that he is rather shy so might it be that he is super sensitive to 'things returning to normal'?

As for advise, the only thing I can offer is. to make sure he knows he can always talk to you, that nothing is too minor to discuss, that he can confide in you if necessary, and that it is ok to not feel ok.

I hope he comes through this, it is truly heartbreaking to see our GC distressed and upset.

Poor boy. There is so much pressure on them these days.

Thank you so much its awful when you cant help and make their pain go away.

No advice, Bertha, just a hug for you and him ?

He is a sensitive boy as musical people often are. He needs gentle handling and may be afraid to say what's really on his mind. It may be something to do with peer pressure, girls, Covid or possibly the Ukraine crisis. It's an age where he isn't quite an adult and there is such a lot to take in. He needs to see you and the other adults in his world as strong and supportive. Boys in particular often find it hard to verbalise. I am sure he will come through this but it may be stress and perhaps it is worth chatting to a professional. I think it is important to find out soon what is bothering him. Bless him - I have a GS just a bit younger and he's the apple of my eye as your GS obviously is. You are a very loving grandparent and I wish you all the very best.

Poor kids- they have been so badly affected by Covid- and now they all know about what is happening in Ukraine. I was at a young friend's yesterday, and her 12 year old burst into tears and asked what nuclear war was.

No wonder the poor kids are confused and full of anxiety.

All we can do is be positive and share the good things with them- but they are not dupe, not stupid, and they know things are serious now.