I need advice & hope you personality experts (Kriston?) might be able to help.
DS12 (8th grader next year) is thought of as "very social"--kids call/text him constantly, invite him to every outing, he's well-liked--just an absolute pleasure to be around. They know he's very smart, so kids always ask for help on homework, when placed on team projects he does the lion's share of work (teammates expect it), he's often put with special ed or low achieving kids on projects because the teachers know he'll get the work done. He comes home exhausted, like he's put his whole heart and soul into every day, being nice, helpful--sometimes with lots of homework because he spent free time helping others get their work done. I think it's been very hard on him. He works so hard at this social persona that he's not attending to his own needs.
Yesterday he expressed interest in homeschooling for next year. I think it's because he wants to escape this enormous pressure he has imposed on himself. Anyone who knew him (his social persona) would be extremely surprised to think he'd want to homeschool. I actually started researching homeschooling last night because I worry about him. I remember a certain personality type was great in social settings, but felt exhausted afterwards and that's how he is. Any suggestions?
