I am worried that my son is going down the same socially-deprived path that I took. He is only four, but I make every effort I can to give him chances to play with other kids, and he either chooses to play by himself, or is very awkward around them. I see other kids on the playground fitting in easily, and he sticks out, and it makes me so sad.

Because I remember being the same way throughout my childhood and teen years, and I regret it so much now. I would go weeks without saying anything to anyone back then. As a teen, I was one of those “who is that guy? Oh yes – he’s been with us since preschool, and no one knows his name” types. Now that I am an adult, I don’t have that many chances to make new friends, and I am full of regret for not making more friends when it would have been so much easier. I blame my parents for not doing anything about it when I was younger. And I blame myself for not realizing the path I was on sooner.

I will not let this happen to my son. He WILL make friends and be a social teenager.