Son Wont Stay Anywhere

I also agree with the other comments. You are his safe haven and he knows that you will take care of him and love him no matter what.

I would maybe start with having him have a friend spend the night at your house, and then maybe eventually he'll want to stay at their house. Before you know it, he will want to be away from home with his friends as much as possible, so enjoy him keeping your home as his favorite place for now. :)

I agree with Amy. There is nothing wrong with wanting your son to spread his wings and fly. Eventually he'll have to leave home. It's much easier to learn things when we are young than when we are adults. Maybe you can pack him a tape recording of you leaving him a short message. He could play it when he gets scared late at night. Just an idea. I defiately don't think you are being selfish. In fact, just the opposite. I think it's great that you want him to spend time with his father's side of the family. Just keep it up, eventually he'll realize that he's ok and that you're coming back in the morning.

I have a 9 year old and he's been the same way. I am getting married tomorrow and it wasn't until Rob entered our life that he felt comfortable sleeping over. I think he felt like he needed to protect me even though I've always told him it's my job to take care of him and it's his job to be a kid. He doesn't have regular contact with his dad so I think he felt responsible for me. When your son is ready, he'll spend the night out. Let him come home when he needs to! Good luck!

Gosh I don't agree completely with some of the other responses you have gotten. I have often seen single mother/son relationships where the son doesn't develop properly to even function in intimate relationships because he didn't open his wings and fly.
Encouraging him to accept love and nurture from other relatives on his father's side is HEALTHY and you may have to give him a push.
I know men now who are in their 30's and all they do is work and spend the rest of the time with their moms, no social life, no woman, no friends.
I know another one who is now 21 suffered from severe depression cos he wouldn't go places, just wanted to sit at home and play videogames.
I know another one who is 7 and won't play much, just wants to sit at home after school and play video games.

Because he does know how much you love him he should trust that you're making a good decision for him in opening up to nurturing other relationships.

The longer you wait, the more impossible it will become in the long run and then you'll have a boy who can not allow other people into his heart and be a lonely person as a adult...

Amy

I agree with the other person who responded. There is nothing wrong with him wanting to come home. I think it's great to encourage him to spend time with other people, but when he wants to come home, have him come home. Kids should feel the safety of home. I think MANY kids don't like to stay away from home. My oldest is 8 and I don't think he has ever spent the night away from home- besides when we're all on vacation together!

I just wanted to reassure you that it is normal for him to want to be at home when he sleeps!!

J.

its okay for him not to want to stay with anyone, he is 7 and that is perfectly normal behavior. I know some almost 13/14 year olds that don't like to stay anywhere else.
God forbid something happen to you, but really if it did, he would be okay, he would be so sad not to be with his mother, but children have wonderful coping skills and when believed in and trusted they find their way. Don't worry so much, he will be fine, love him, tell him you understand and let him be the one that decides when he wants to spend the whole night, until then go get him when he wants to come home