Be cautious but don't judge too harshly yet....

KillarneyRose,

May I send you a PM? I have a son who is slow and hangs out with younger kids.

I don't really think its "normal" and I would be worried, but not so much for my own kids as for the 13-year old. I would wonder why he's socially adept and awkward, and would be trying to help him "catch up" with his peers. (Not that I would rule out other concerns for my own kids -- I would keep my eyes and ears open.)

It can be painful being 13 in for the most normal kid in the world. If one is a little "odd" or "slow," the pain can magnify exponentially. I know of a couple of boys, sons of friends, around that age who have been diagnozed with Asberger's Syndrome -- a syndrome akin to autism that can make social interaction very difficult. Of course, I'm not suggesting at all that that's what's going on in your case. But I can't help but wonder if the kid is just looking for friends, and younger kids are the only ones willing to hang with him.

yeah being 13 sucked I'm glad that was seven years ago.

trust your insticts- that is the greatest gift god gave mothers- you know if something is amiss.

The sex offender idea is a bit over the top lol . . . Nice way to scare KillarneyRose to death.

Are you saying that a such a high percentage of 13 year old kids are sexual predators that you have to fear them around yours? And that each of the above scenarios presented where they had mixed aged neighborhoods harbored these sexual predators just ready to pounce?

As for the rest.

Just consider the context, he might not have other VIABLE social options. As you said he is not in clubs, maybe he doesn't have many same age friends or they are far away.

I too remember neighborhoods where the kids playing together ranged greatly in age.

If they were at a rec center the ages would differ as greatly.

They are playing outside games, maybe board games or whatever, normal stuff.

Now sleep overs or something might be a bit awkward but if your kids are not wierded out things should be fine.

I have to disagree James, I think it is better to be cautious than to disregard her thoughts that there may be something wrong with this situation.

I am not saying that there aren't a million reasons that this kid could want to hang out with younger kids, but it isn't a bad idea for her to be weary of it.

Wouldn't you rather be cautious and your children be safe, rather than have your 6 year old come to you and tell you that they did something bad to them?