JoAnn’s 13 year old son has been going to the gym twice a day to lift weights. He’s becoming obsessed with body building and she is worried it’s becoming unhealthy. But her husband keeps encouraging it and she doesn’t know what to do. Is a 13 year old too young to be lifting weights? Or is he just getting a jump on a healthy lifestyle? Is JoAnn’s husband living vicariously through her son? Or did he find a good way to bond with his kid?
Ayla Brown: Good morning, JoAnn. How are you? Thank you for calling in. Finally getting me on the phone for ask Ayla Brown what is going on with you now?
JoAnn: And thank you so much. Like I mentioned, I have been a longtime listener, big fan. And thank you. So finally calling in and need some advice here. I’m a mom and my husband and I, we have a 13 year old son who has recently taken up an interest in bodybuilding. Bodybuilding? Yes. Yes.
Ayla Brown: Has he seen that new Arnold Schwarzenegger documentary on Netflix? Like, is that the reason?
JoAnn: I don’t know. He and his friends talked about it. And then my husband also happened to overhear their conversation and really started igniting my son’s interest in this more and more. So my husband has been bringing my son to the gym two times a day and he’s lifting weights. And my husband is almost acting as my son’s personal trainer. The thing that concerns me is one, my son is 13. He isn’t even allowed to date yet. And then on top of that, he’s looking a little unnatural.
Ayla Brown: With what?
JoAnn: I feel terrible. Like extra muscles or something. You know, like those Hulk Halloween costumes that are padded that kids put on. Yeah, I feel terrible, but his scrawny little frame with these muscles.
Ayla Brown: You’re basically saying your 13 year old is the next Hulk and I’m sorry, Joanne, but now every college coach is going to be calling you like they’re dollar signs. Dollar signs! Can he play baseball or any sport for my college. So what do you have a problem with exactly? That your husband is bringing him twice a day? Because when I was his age I went twice a day, if not more, to the gyms at the age of 13 to practice and play and lift. And that’s kind of what you do, I guess. And it starts that young.
JoAnn: No, I think the thing for me, the bigger issue is that my husband is… It almost seems as though he is having his personal dreams fulfilled. That never happened for him when he was younger, so he never got any sports scholarships to college. He tried but just didn’t make it, okay. And there seems to be a lot more interest behind our son having a new hobby.
Ayla Brown: So you’re saying that your husband is living vicariously through your son and it’s kind of making you feel uncomfortable. Because your son is only 13, and it’s kind of awkward to see your husband living his past dreams out within your son’s new bodybuilding journey. I guess as a 13 year old.
