Do you hold your teen's hands?

[Anonymous]

Let me preface this with the disclaimer I'm not judging or accusing or think anything inappropriate is going on.
I'm just curious ,how many of you hold hands with your teen child?
I don't have experience with kids this age and don't remember holding hands with my parents after I was maybe 10 or 11.

I was at a function today there was a teen boy there about 15/16 at one point he was sitting off by himself. His mom went over put her hand over his, and they sat holding hands for maybe 5 minutes. He kind of rested his head on her shoulder. She was saying something to him. I wasn't close enough to make out what it was. Mom then gave him a pat on the leg and was on her way. I saw the kid mingling as normal later.

I found this exchange odd ( in that I've never seen such a thing) but sweet. Like I said I don't spend much time with teens do you parents of teens get this kind of moments often.

[Anonymous]

That does sound sweet. I'm not looking forward to my children refusing to hold my hand but I'm sure its coming soon. They're not quite 10 yet.

Also what you describe is at a function - its not like they were holding hands crossing the street or standing in line at the supermarket. But even so, I don't see that it would matter if they did.

[Anonymous]

The interaction you describes sounds completely normal to me. It seems as if he needed reassurance for whatever reason and his Mom was able to provide it. I hope I have that type of relationship with my children when they hit their teen years.

[Anonymous]

I've had those types of interactions with my DS, 16. Patting his hand, leg, head--close talking, etc. But we don't hold hands walking around the mall or anything, he'd pass out if tried that. He doesn't mind if pat his back walking down the street. He'll put his arm around me sometimes--he's taller than I am (and I'm 5'8"). He's a normal 16 yr old boy--sometimes sweet, sometimes not.

[Anonymous]

I hold hands with my grown sons and my husband regularly. One of my sons used to hold my hand on one side, his wife on the other. He said it made him look good being with two women.

I laughed. People still mistake my boys for my boyfriend. It's so funny.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I hold hands with my son in the manner you described. There are other times he reaches for my hand, as does my husband and my mother. I think it's sweet.

[Anonymous]

My 10-year-old son is still quite the sweetie, and we will clasp hands for a moment if we're talking about something emotional or sweet. He still says, "I love you, Mom," or "I love you, Dad."

My 13-year-old DD, who can be quite the firecracker, in her more unsure moments will come and sit by me and grab my hand for a moment just to reconnect. Just like when they were little, I lean in if I see they need it. She pulls away lots more, so I appreciate it when she does want to be gentle and sweet – those moments are few, but I am so glad they are still there!

[Anonymous]

My SIL often holds hands with her son who is 12. He is pretty immature for his age and has some social/emotional and sensoryl issues that were never really addressed. He has always been awkward and has to rely on her to help him in social settings. He is a really sweet kid but he is becoming a little to old/big for this to look okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me preface this with the disclaimer I'm not judging or accusing or think anything inappropriate is going on.
I'm just curious ,how many of you hold hands with your teen child?
I don't have experience with kids this age and don't remember holding hands with my parents after I was maybe 10 or 11.

I was at a function today there was a teen boy there about 15/16 at one point he was sitting off by himself. His mom went over put her hand over his, and they sat holding hands for maybe 5 minutes. He kind of rested his head on her shoulder. She was saying something to him. I wasn't close enough to make out what it was. Mom then gave him a pat on the leg and was on her way. I saw the kid mingling as normal later.

I found this exchange odd ( in that I've never seen such a thing) but sweet. Like I said I don't spend much time with teens do you parents of teens get this kind of moments often.

This could have been me and either of my boys, ages 18 and 13. Both my guys adore me, LOL. I don't know if it is typical, TBH.

[Anonymous]

Normal

[Anonymous]

My kids are teenagers and quite demonstrative in their affection with me and DH. I came from a very physically demonstrative family and we still give spontaneous hugs and kisses to each other.

My mom is 75 and all of my siblings are in their 50s. We still hug and kiss her all the time.

I think for me it is a necessity to have that physical touch with my family. I have to hug them and be hugged by them. My sons are not embarrassed at all to kiss and hug me in public.

It is not typical here, but I am happy that I can get away with it because we are obviously foreigners.

[Anonymous]

It's normal to me. Sometimes I reach over and hold my 15 year old son's hand while sitting next to him in church as a sign of affection. Also, I hold my 13 year old son's hand sometimes when we're walking in public. I don't really care what anyone thinks about it.

[Anonymous]

DD13 and I went for a walk this afternoon and she would occasionally take my hand and hold it for a while.

Both of my teenage girls very often give me hugs and kisses when they walk by (as in several times a day). Not sure where that comes from since I wasn't particularly touchy feely at that age with my own parents.

[Anonymous]

OP here. This is nice to read. I admit I didn't grow up in a very affectionate family even as a young child I have very few memories of hugs and snuggles and definitely not in the teen years.

I hope things are different with my own children.

[Anonymous]

Not judging since I don't know the individuals or know under what circumstance they needed comforting. But I wouldn't consider it typical behavior and I wouldn't necessarily covet the relationship or this behavior.