17 YEAR OLD AND WHAT TO DO WITH HIM

Shelly - posted on 07/24/2009

Wendy,

Maybe you need to look into Job Corp for him...That way he can get his HS diploma and learn a job skill and then you know were he is and what he's doing and he will be making a little bit of money...And while you are waiting for thqt you need to make sure you don't give him any money for his fun things and then you need to give him chores around the house to help him carry his wait at home then you take away the cell phone and the computer and the tv in the room strip his room down to his bed and a dresser do not make it comfortable for him if he wants to be lazy then he needs to have what a lazy adult has NOTHING....Good luck and let us know how it's going

Mona - posted on 07/24/2009

My son is also 17. He will be starting his first year of college in the fall. I've always told both my boys that they can stay home rent free as long as they are in school or working.

http://moremilestones.blogspot.com

Silke - posted on 07/23/2009

Betsy,



if your son is worried that he might not get through his Senior year or graduate then he probably won't make it into the AF any way since he wouldn't pass their academic standard. Having said that it might be a good tool for you to use to get him motivated to do better in school.



Wendy,



have you sat down with your son and talked to him about his plans for the future? Does he realize that at this rate he won't be going anywhere? Have you asked him why he skips class to hang out in the JROTC building? Is he trying to tell you that he's interested in that program? If so why don't you two check with his councelor to see if he can enroll in it.

Betsy - posted on 07/22/2009

I have a 17 year old son (and he is the baby of 5) who sounded a lot like yours. I was so worried that he wouldn't be able to get into college because of his grades and had no idea what he would do with his life. At this point, I am just praying that he can get through this last year of high school and get his diploma. Just recently he has been talking seriously about joining the Air Force (thanks to a good friend who is doing that) and I think I have now convinced him to attend a community college for 2 years to see if that's for him and then, if he stills is serious about the Air Force, then go for it. He seems to have more goals in his life now and he even seems happier to have something to look forward to in a few years. I guess at some point the light just goes off in their heads. Good luck

Karen - posted on 07/22/2009

i had a breaking point incident with my daughter and finally bought a book called"stop negotiating with your manipulative teen" when i read i realised that all the times i thought i was been so considerate and reasonable i was just giving her the opportunity to make decisions she was not mature enough to take. in the end i did what it said in the book, put my foot down and said no instead of maybe, set time limits which i refused to negotiate on...and to my utter surprise, she became compliant. Apparently we do more harm than good by giving them choces, and meeting them half way, what they want and need and even like is firm boundaries...who would have thought???

Christie - posted on 07/21/2009

This must be something that happens at 17. Sounds a lot like my son. The only difference is that I home school and He MUST to his work so school work is not an issue for me. But all other areas are. I worry for his future also. One thing that I have started to do is make him take responsibility that will prepare him for the future such as small stuff like if he does not do his OWN laundry he has no clean clothes. Also if he wants spending money he must earn it, even if that means from me. Nothing comes free when your an adult and I am trying to teach him that. After a few times of doing with out and wearing dirty clothes he decided to be more responsible! =) May not apply to your son but just a helpful hint! Good luck!

Christie - posted on 07/21/2009

This must be something that happens at 17. Sounds a lot like my son. The only difference is that I home school and He MUST to his work so school work is not an issue for me. But all other areas are. I worry for his future also. One thing that I have started to do is make him take responsibility that will prepare him for the future such as small stuff like if he does not do his OWN laundry he has no clean clothes. Also if he wants spending money he must earn it, even if that means from me. Nothing comes free when your an adult and I am trying to teach him that. After a few times of doing with out and wearing dirty clothes he decided to be more responsible! =) May not apply to your son but just a helpful hint! Good luck!