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14. They do not talk to anyone about their feelings and thoughts.
Usually this is because no one ever listened or cared about what the child thought and felt. Even worse, those who did acted like they cared did nothing but tell him what he should think and how he should feel. He told them what he thought. They said, “You don’t really believe that do you?” “That is a stupid thing to think.” “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
What to do? Ask him questions. Show him you are interested. Don’t push him to talk. His relationship with you can be on his terms. You should talk to him about day-to-day kinds of things but don’t expect him to respond. You are there and interested. He will talk to you when he wants to talk. Playing games and doing things where he does not need to talk also helps cement your relationship.