Bad tempered? Moody? Downright unpleasant? Congratulations. You've got a normal adolescent. He isn't just being awkward for the sake of it. His body is experiencing drastic changes and so are his emotions.

Unfortunately, these changes aren't even consistent. His emotional maturity is constantly shifting, throwing him back and forth between childish needs and adult desires. This isn't always fun for you or for him.

'Leave me alone!'
Your teenager's preparing for independence by pulling away from parents and family. Even when he is at home, he may spend hours on the phone with friends and may rebuff your attempts to pull him into family activities.

'Where do I stand?'
Early attempts at separation are not easy for him. He still needs parental protection in many areas and may sometimes desperately crave a hug. Ironically, he may see such needs as weakness on his part and unconsciously try to force separation by lashing out at you. At other times he may be a delightful companion, conversing with you on an adult level. So much depends on his hormonal state at the time.