My 16-Year-Old Son, An Introverted Artist, And His Father, A Football Coach, Spend Zero Time Together And Seem To Hate Each Other. What Should I Do, Or Should I Just Protect My Son As I Have Always Done?

[Peaches121012]

By the way, my son is not a ‘bad’ or ‘difficult’ child—he has a 4.0+ GPA, has won multiple art-related awards, and never gets in trouble.

[bednobs]

why do you need to protect him?

[davebro]

16 year old boys are often in conflict with a "distant" father - I was.

You could try to get your husband to appreciate his son for who he is and what he achieves & to take an interest in his activities. Barring that you may just have to wait until they both grow up a bit more!

[Mozz71]

How does this "hatred" manifest itself? Is there violence? Arguments? Just ignoring each other?

it's not unusual for a teen to resent a parent, but your husband should know better.

[jourdain2]

It seems as if this is simply a case of different types. Your son is an artist (are you American? I don't understand 4.0 + GPA). Your husband expected and wanted a son who would follow in his sports-related interests. Yes, it will be difficult for you.

There must be areas in which they can relate; but both have to acknowledge that they are different and and love each other.

I'm no-one to talk really, my grandson has become almost totally unacceptable to us in his attitudes and behaviour since we last saw him pre-lockdown; but we are sticking with it because there is no option.

The very best of luck to you.