18 | Does Your Teen Son Avoid Hugs? How to Show Affection in a Way He’ll Accept

Have you noticed your teen son pulling away from hugs?

As boys grow into young men, the way they receive love begins to change—and for many moms, that shift can feel confusing… and even a little hurtful. But it’s not that your son doesn’t need affection anymore. It just looks different now.

I this episode of Raising Boys with Purpose, we’re continuing our 5 Love Languages of Teenagers series, based on The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman, focusing on Physical Touch and how it evolves during the teen years.

You’ll learn how to recognize when your son is open to affection, where he feels most comfortable receiving it, and how to show love in ways he’ll actually accept—without pushing him away.

💡 In This Episode:

• Why teen boys often pull away from hugs

• How physical touch changes during adolescence

• When your son is most open to affection

• Where physical touch feels comfortable (and where it doesn’t)

• Simple, practical ways to show love your teen will receive

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About the Podcast

Raising Boys with Purpose is a Christian parenting podcast for moms raising teen boys and young men. Each week, Brooke shares practical parenting strategies and biblical encouragement to help moms prepare their sons for adulthood with life skills, emotional intelligence, responsibility, faith, and independence.

Topics include parenting teen boys, Christian parenting, life skills for teen boys, emotional intelligence, motivation, discipline, communication, and preparing sons for adulthood.