I stutter, and I raise a child with a severe speech language disorder (not a stutter) and one child with a stutter that manifests more like blocks these days (and nearly undetectable). I spent too much time worrying about a lot things when they were little (and it just made my mental health worse). I know hindsight is 20/20, but I wanted to say that in the hopes that you realize stuttering sucks, but it's not a thing that defines us (unless we want it to). Now to answer your questions: 1. Since I could speak. 2. Sometimes. Shit, I had teachers laugh at me, but I was really good in school and everyone knew it. My little girl ego didn't care what they thought about my speech because I knew the ones laughing hardest had lower GPAs than me. This might not be a right way to think, but it got me through middle school. 3. Nope! I met my SO in high school and we've been together for 20 years. Maybe girls have it easier than boys in this department? I don't know. 4. Being good at something is what helped me. I worked hard in school and began my career as a writer. Today I am as successful as I want to be, and my stutter goes almost unnoticed. While I can articulate well vocally, I shine on paper (or screens). So, I advise, as with all children, give them a skill they can be proud of. My son practices martial arts and builds things and my daughter likes ice skating and dancing and art, and they are very proud of their achievements. And I encourage them to talk and talk and talk some more. (TLDR; let him get good at something & let him talk without correction or interruption = confidence)