***Linking up with MamaKat today: 3.) Chances are you’ve heard of the Reasons My Son Is Crying tumblr page…write your own version. ***
One day after school last week I was elated when Gabe asked if I wanted to play a game of basketball. I couldn’t get my shoes on fast enough. Usually he beats me by at least a few baskets. But not today. I was on fire! I made shot after shot after shot. I gave him a little good-natured ribbing and ended up winning by quite a few. It was time to make dinner so we headed inside. I got out the meat and the cutting board and looked over and he was crying. Playing Minecraft and crying.
What’s wrong?
Nothing.
But you’re crying?
I’m fine.
Is it because I beat you at basketball?
OH MY GOD MOM I’M FINE.
So I shut up.
I go to put him to bed on a different night (don’t even think about calling it tucking in, ok?) and he is crying. Laying in bed just crying.
What’s wrong?
Nothing.
But you’re crying?
It’s nothing.
Did something happen today?
NO MOM! I’M FINE AND I’M NOT CRYING.
So I shut up.
We are in the car on the way home from school. It’s pouring rain so I begrudgingly get in the car and go pick him up because I’m nice like that. It’s just he and I in the car and he is crying.
Why are you crying? (See! I learned! A different approach in my line of questioning!)
I’m not.
But I can see tears coming out of your eyes.
I’m not crying.
Did something happen at school today?
NO MOM! I’M FINE! I’M NOT CRYING! NOTHING’S WRONG!
So I shut up.
I believe I have the answer to my question “why is he crying”…*swear jar* (thanks, Dana!) hormones. They just love to mess with adolescents, don’t they?
I thought this only happened to girls?
At least I’ve learned to just shut up. Apparently that’s all that works with boys.
Elastamom's Excerpts 
Perfect picture for this post!! And I know how he feels. Often times I have no idea why I’m crying, either!
Me too, Jamie, me too! When I told him it was normal, he of course looked at me like I had 3 heads. Have a great day!!Tiffanywww.elastamom.com
Oh dear. This makes me nervous.
Tuck cries at the sad parts of movies, and although we tell him IT’S FINE TO FEEL SAD and to CRY, he tries to hide it. I hate that.
I appreciate the *just shut up* advice!
It’s so hard to shut up…but that’s what they need apparently! Have a great day!!Tiffanywww.elastamom.com
Gaa! You’ve entered the Years of the Hand. I think I’m really in for it with Miss M., because at age five she began refusing to tell me why she was crying…
These are the moments that will make us laugh when we’re grandparents and watch them with their children, right? Have a great day!!Tiffanywww.elastamom.com
Yeah, my daughter tells me everything she knows, but my now-17 year old son? I have to draaaaaaag everything out of him. And even then, I don’t usually get a satisfactory answer – just something to shut me up and get me to leave him alone!
Boys are so tough! Have a great day!!Tiffanywww.elastamom.com
My Gabe is 12 and the crying started almost 2 years ago. It’s not near as bad as it was back then but yes very emotional. Hormones and the super fast paced society we live in.