Yep, I have one of these, too. He does play video games with friends but only minecraft and roblox.

I had a "young" 7th grade girl last year. She was playing with toys and very much the way you describe your son. Now a year later she wants to talk about the news headlines and wouldn't dream of playing with toys. My current 5th grader mourns the loss of the sister who was still "young" enough to play with her.

Totally normal. Such a huge range of maturity in middle school. Agree with the suggestions to reach out to the school for help with matching or lunch bunches. Let the teachers know too so they can pair him for projects with appropriate and kind kids. Consider a maker learning class or a class through a museum (virtual) or something related to Legos but for his age group. There are plenty of boys like him, he just has to find them. Don’t say anything that will make him feel self-conscious about who he is and where he is maturity-wise. He’s fine, he just needs to find others who won’t roll their eyes at his lack of “sophistication.”

—Middle school counselor

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I would contact your kid's school counselor. Give the counselor a list of your son's interests, and ask if they know any other kids whose interests align, that your son could connect with. Some middle schools are offering lunch bunches and other ways for kids to meet each other. The *only* issue I see in your post is your DS needing to find some buddies.

+1

I’m so glad people are being sane!

My DC's middle school has online after school clubs. The Minecraft one is really popular, which surprised me because I thought kids were aging out of it, even though my DC still played. Those kids have their separate chats and things going outside the school sponsored activity, so they're "meeting" new friends.

Anonymous wrote:OP I would contact your kid's school counselor. Give the counselor a list of your son's interests, and ask if they know any other kids whose interests align, that your son could connect with. Some middle schools are offering lunch bunches and other ways for kids to meet each other. The *only* issue I see in your post is your DS needing to find some buddies.

This is a good idea.

Sounds like my boys too. It is a very normal personality type. Its OK that his style and personality are different from his brother and some other kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I would contact your kid's school counselor. Give the counselor a list of your son's interests, and ask if they know any other kids whose interests align, that your son could connect with. Some middle schools are offering lunch bunches and other ways for kids to meet each other. The *only* issue I see in your post is your DS needing to find some buddies.

+1

I’m so glad people are being sane!

+2


My son is a year older and is similar. Doesn’t like bad language or bad behavior, does like video games but only the nonviolent ones the younger kids play (no Fortnite). Socially he just does his own thing and seems content. I’m glad he feels comfortable being his true self, and am happy his childhood isn’t ending too abruptly. Nothing wrong with being a late bloomer.

I was like that, my kids are like that. For us it's normal.

Anonymous wrote:OP I would contact your kid's school counselor. Give the counselor a list of your son's interests, and ask if they know any other kids whose interests align, that your son could connect with. Some middle schools are offering lunch bunches and other ways for kids to meet each other. The *only* issue I see in your post is your DS needing to find some buddies.

+1

I’m so glad people are being sane!

Sounds like a great kid. He isn't young, other kids are just ahead as they are exposed to inappropriate things at early ages.

Kinda sounds like a kid, they way they should be.

+1 and +1

OP I would contact your kid's school counselor. Give the counselor a list of your son's interests, and ask if they know any other kids whose interests align, that your son could connect with. Some middle schools are offering lunch bunches and other ways for kids to meet each other. The *only* issue I see in your post is your DS needing to find some buddies.

Kinda sounds like a kid, they way they should be.

Sounds like a great kid. He isn't young, other kids are just ahead as they are exposed to inappropriate things at early ages.

No real question. My DS is very "young" for a 7th grade boy. Meaning, he is the age of a 7th grader but his interests and demeanor are very young. No special needs (we have tested). He still plays with toys such as legos and costumes when he is at home, is scared of books/movies that have "bad behavior" and hates it when kids his age curse. He also is not really into video games so hasn't kept up with any friends that way. Because he has not developed maturity wise, he has been left with no friends at this point. And because of Covid, he has not been in school to meet (any?) other kids who may be on this same wave length. I have an older son as well so I feel like I have a good enough sense of maturity (or lack thereof!) at age 12/13. I guess I am just worried but not sure I can do anything other than wait it out.