«Help, my son wants a girlfriend»

The fact that your 17-year-old son is so honest about his love life is a sign of great trust. It speaks for your son's sensitivity, openness and ability to communicate. All important prerequisites for a satisfying romantic relationship. Tell your son this. Remind him that there is no age at which you have to have had your first sweetheart. And that some young men his age simply like to bluff loudly about sexual conquests without having to do much more than smile shyly.

By letting go of the little child your son once was and then welcoming the young adult your son is today. Give him the time he needs to do this. You can't conjure up a girlfriend for him, but if he wants to listen, tell him how your life felt when you were 17. Visit a nice place together and treat him to something sweet. He can have a look around while you're there ...

I guess not at all. Unless he asks you for comfort. And even then, your consolation will hardly really comfort him, because what else do you want to tell him but that nothing can be forced in these matters and that he has no choice but to be patiently ready at all times. The best way to help him is to be a cool mum (within your means) who takes her son as maturely as possible. The attractiveness of mums sometimes rubs off on their sons.

