Please help anxious Bar Mitzva boy

amother

OP ↓

Wed, Jul 31 2024, 8:16 pm

My son is worried that he might start laughing during leining or some other time. His fear has some basis, like him and his brother will sometimes be unable to control their laughter during benching, or during kiddush. Theyre really good kids they just sometimes get these giggles they struggle to control.
Any suggestions?

amother

Oxfordblue

Wed, Jul 31 2024, 8:45 pm

I clicked on this thread because my son’s bar mitzvah is coming up and he is extremely anxious too. He’s anxious for other reasons though. He has no self confidence and is very shy. He’d be thrilled if I would cancel his bar mitzvah all together.
About your son, I’m not really sure what there is to do but I know that my daughter has a friend who laughs a lot, sometimes uncontrollably. She told my daughter that she takes medication that helps her with her laughing. Maybe it’s considered an anxiety disorder?

Odelyah

Wed, Jul 31 2024, 10:09 pm

amother OP wrote:

is this only a thing with the 2 of them together? like they give each other looks to make each other laugh? or sometimes just 1 without anyone provoking them besides their own thoughts?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Aug 01 2024, 2:01 am

amother Oxfordblue wrote:

Thank you, my son is actually confident about the leining. It could be anxiety related and he himself suggested taking some type of med that could ensure he doesn't laugh but I'd be concerned trying out something new a week before his Bar Mitzva. In general though he doesn't l laugh alot, it's specific situations that trigger it. I was hoping for some type of exercise.
Would you consider taking your son on a trip to EY instead? And just make a Seuda for your family?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Aug 01 2024, 2:02 am

Odelyah wrote:

is this only a thing with the 2 of them together? like they give each other looks to make each other laugh? or sometimes just 1 without anyone provoking them besides their own thoughts?

Usually it is but not always. That's why he's worried

salt

Thu, Aug 01 2024, 2:13 am

Leining in shul, and benching at home round your own table are two different things.
I don't think he has anything to worry about.
Make sure his brother is not in viewing distance of you son who will be leining - you don't want them to make eye contact - that could spark something off. But if he cannot see him, I doubt anything will go wrong (if my reassurance helps)

amother

↑ OP

Thu, Aug 01 2024, 3:43 am

salt wrote:

Thank you for you reassurance, it does help!