Should I Worry About This Teen Behavior?

Mine don't wear appropriate clothing in the winter, and they don't wear appropriate clothing in the summer.

I can't get them to use sunscreen half the time.

While they aren't wearing hoodies, one is wearing something that is equally ridiculous.

I would say it is a phase.

My other thought is - does he have extra strength deodorant? Some kids that age are worried about pit stains (or just wet stains) on their t shirts. So they ridiculously wear extra layers to cover up. I know, makes no sense, but ....

Feeling cold all the time regardless of the room temperature could be a symptom of hypothyroid.
I'd have the doctor check his thyroid levels.
If there's no medical reason for it he might just really love wearing sweats.
If hoodies are his thing - get him several nice looking ones so he can keep them washed and he's not wearing the same old thing all the time - maybe in a few different colors.
I would tell him that wearing a hoodie isn't appropriate dress in all settings so if you are going to a nice place to eat or if he has a job interview he should dress appropriately and occasionally leave the hoodie at home.

My 14 year old son will do this. I am pretty sure it is because he is extremely thin and one of his friends made a comment about how thin his upper arms are and now he is self conscious about it. He will never go to the neighborhood pool with me this summer either. He did go with me to a neighbor's backyard pool when there were zero other kids except his little sister and had a lot of fun swimming. This makes me think he really is self conscious about being thin.

There are grown men in NYC (young professionals with children and good jobs and plenty of money) who wear hoodies to work, especially in certain areas of finance and tech. (Also some who do that style of wearing ski-type hats even indoors in nice weather. Finally now it's hot enough that I think the hats are away for a month or two, lol.)

Don't worry about the hoodies, but do try to buy him some nice ones maybe in different colors. (Of course, if necessary you can remind him that you as the mom will let him know when a situation is *truly* not hoodie-appropriate.)

I agree with you - I'd internally roll my eyes, but outwardly ignore it without comment.

My boys are 12 & 9 and just started (finally) wearing shorts in the summer ... even when it was 90 to 100 degrees! Drove me crazy, but just last summer they decided to begin wearing shorts. Thank goodness!!!

You just have to leave him be. He's 15, and he can choose what to wear. Yes, I think he's crazy and I have trouble believing he wouldn't be much more comfortable without the sweatshirt on, but that's his decision.

I think you have to let it go and let him choose.

I agree that it's probably a security blanket type thing, some boys wear baseball caps the same way, just as some girls "hide" under baggy clothing during adolescence. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

My daughter used to hide behind a long, heavy fringe of bangs secured with a hat pulled down low for a while and with that came a lowered head, defensive posture and mumbling. It looked like she was trying to hide in plain sight. She was having some anxiety in general and specifically, had been made fun of for the "wingy" curl that sometimes happened on the edge of her bangs and for her full eyebrows. Once she admitted what the issues were, we worked on getting her eyebrows and bangs into a look that she liked and could maintain and she started to show her full face again. It was just an awkward phase to get through.

It could be a "security blanket" type thing that offers a protective barrier to the outside world. if he wears the hood up a lot, it could also signal covering up something that we think is silly but that might bother him, like acne, hair he doesn't like, big ears, etc.

If he were hiding cuts or track marks or was unusually cold all the time like some drug users can be, I'd say that you have a problem. But given that you've taken a look at his arms and see him sweating like anyone else would in a sweatshirt in the heat, I think you can ignore this and it will likely pass, but keep an eye out for other behaviors that might signal anxiety that's at an unhealthy level.

You are right about the reason he wants to wear the hoodie.

Yes, just leave him alone about it. But give him lots of love and caring and when you talk to him, listen a lot, especially in the car when he can't escape from you, lol.

teens do love their hoodies.

wait- this almost 60 year old chick does too.

but teens are much more illogical about clothing. look at how many of 'em refuse to wear coats in winter.

i don't think this is something to lose sleep over, or police. roll your eyes and carry on.
khairete
S.

My 13 year old did this all school year...it would be 100+ degrees outside and he would get off the bus sweating and still in his sweatshirt. He lived in one of two that were is favorites that met the uniform requirement.

He would tell me that it was super cold in the school and that part I understood. However, it came out later that he was being teased and called "skin and bones" or "skeleton boy" as he is super tall and very thin as he hasn't filled out yet.

I let it be, figuring he needed the bulk of the sweatshirt to feel bigger like his friends (a lot of them play sports for the school) mine is in martial arts outside of school. He just hasn't filled out yet, when the hormones hit he will...he certainly eats enough.

Oh, and come summer vacation...I haven't seen those sweatshirts in weeks. He is fine in shorts or jeans and a T-shirt. (Come school again...I am sure they will be back on even in the hot weather.) You aren't alone Mama, we are in this one together!!

My son does the same thing and has since he was about 14 years old. He is 19 now. 94 degrees and he is wearing a hoodie. He cranks the AC in his room up high when he is in there. It is a bit of a security blanket so to speak. My son does have scars on his arms from taking medication so that is part of it. He doesn't want someone thinking he shoots up or something. He never wears shorts. Someone might see his legs. He also prefers to take out the garbage at night. The only concern I have is that he does not really socialize. His friends are cyber, not local. If you do not think you son is harming himself, then I would definitely let it go.