Follow up on my son from a post at mbshop

[engatwork]

Just wanted to let everyone that is familiar with the case (from a post at mbshop) know that my oldest son is doing real good now. Good grades in school (A's and B's) and best of all HE STARTED HIS FIRST JOB YESTERDAY!!!!!!! He is bagging groceries at the local Kroger but at least it is a start seeing as how he will not be 16 until March of next year.

Ya'll don't know how good this makes me and the wife feel. It is almost like he has seen the light.

I think he is going to be fine.

[Rickg]

Wow! That is good news! What finally got thru to him? Or was it just a matter of growing up a bit?

[Ribulose Diphosphate]

No kidding! That is great news, Eng. I guess we've all been following this awful year or so you've gone through. Nothing like a job to give a kid direction in his life. Hope his Mom is doing better, too.

[sflori]

Jim, this is great news to hear!! Goes to show what a little responsibility can do for a kid. It's been a difficult year for all of you, glad it seems to be over.

Good news!!

[narwhal]

Good news indeed.

Now you need to teach him how to bag a doctor wife and he will live happily ever after!

[Howitzer]

Very good news! May I ask what the promted the turn around?

[engatwork]

I think a couple/few things have help turn him around. The first being his probation officer has helped him and the other is the fact that the girl that was sneaking out of her house and coming over in the early morning (1 am) has moved a long way away - thank goodness. Oh yea - he has been taking something called Strattera that seems to help him focus and stay alot calmer than he used to be.

Ya'll would not believe how this has made the wife and I feel. Things are ALOT more peaceful around the house these days. I'm even considering building something like a "den" in the shop I am building to give these kids/teenagers a place to hang out. Big screen tv, couch, etc...

[Ribulose Diphosphate]

Reconsider the kid's den.

You guys need more family interaction, not less. Have one TV in a comfy room and learn to enjoy the programs they like. Help them learn what you like. If you don't like their stuff, get a book and sit in there and read for a half-hour while they watch TV during the evening. Build on the communication you've started. Your presence and appreciation or tolerance lets them know you value their lives. Its something to build on.

[narwhal]

Originally Posted by Ribulose Diphosphate

Reconsider the kid's den.

You guys need more family interaction, not less. Have one TV in a comfy room and learn to enjoy the programs they like. Help them learn what you like. If you don't like their stuff, get a book and sit in there and read for a half-hour while they watch TV during the evening. Build on the communication you've started. Your presence and appreciation or tolerance lets them know you value their lives. Its something to build on.

I was going to advise to watch "That '70's Show" for discouragement.

[alias]

Congratulations in a turn around! I guess the next challenge will be if he wants to keep the job. But good grades are a wonderful sign of commitment. It must be a relief!