What may help w/your communication w/your son is to actually get down to his level. If he has a favorite program, toy or game, then you will need to talk to him about these things, ask questions, play w/him and just listen to what he shares, then validate him. This very well could open the door a bit for you and your son and also a better bonding experience.
It's been a "long" time since my kids were this age but I might also suggest that the "get down to his level" thing is also physical. We tower over our children and I always tried to get physically where I can look them right in the eyes when we were talking. Also keep in mind - he also probably picked up genetics at an early age. From what I've read you've had your own struggles. Perhaps think about what helped you cope and figure out a way to explain it to him in language he can understand. I know with my own son that it helped stop some behaviours that were caused by jealousy of other kids who had better things when I told him that I understood and had the same problems. Lastly - do not underestimate a child. They're very smart and pick up on everything going on around them. I always treated my kids as just short people and we had some fabulous conversations at every age and I like to think that we are good friends now and will be for the rest of our lives.
On BD H52, W50 T27, M26 S21, D23 BD-9-Mar-16 D-15-Jan-18 Final-19-Apr-18 I am a storyteller. The story may do you no good. But a story is never for the listener. It is always for the one who tells
