Parenting Teenagers (12-18) Support Group
This community is focused on the joys, challenges and concerns faced by parents of teenagers (12 to 18 year olds). The major areas of child development include: physical development, perception and sensory development, communication and language development, cognitive development, emotional development and social development.
My soon to be 17 year old son has been smoking pot for about 4 years. He went from mild use to everyday use and now it's about every other day. He also went from an A student to a C or D student--even in the classes that he really likes.
A few months ago I caught him with a bottle of my prescription meds. He admitted that he stole them. He said that he consumed some of them over a period of time and gave the rest away. (More than 70 pills were missing between two bottles of meds. Which are all locked up now, btw.)
Recently I found an empty gin bottle under his bed and on another occasion he returned from an over-night at a friend's house with 3/4 of a bottle of vodka.
You can get details from my journal. He's lurking about now. Any kind and encouraging words would be appreciated because I'm at the end of my rope. Thanks.
A few months ago I caught him with a bottle of my prescription meds. He admitted that he stole them. He said that he consumed some of them over a period of time and gave the rest away. (More than 70 pills were missing between two bottles of meds. Which are all locked up now, btw.)
Recently I found an empty gin bottle under his bed and on another occasion he returned from an over-night at a friend's house with 3/4 of a bottle of vodka.
You can get details from my journal. He's lurking about now. Any kind and encouraging words would be appreciated because I'm at the end of my rope. Thanks.
kimlyon6
I have a 15 year old boy who did the switcharoo on me at 14 years old. Thought I had it going great, well liked by staff and kids at school. He liked sports and was doing great in school and then he discovered girls. He really liked this girl and it semed innocent, but then his grades started falling and he dropped his interest in sports and his attitude changed. We always had discussions on sex, drugs, life and life was good. Then due to the economy and the job market we moved to Virginia. He was raised in Michigan all his life and of coarse he was not happy. I prayed he would get over the move and nodda. The girlfriend broke up with him and he is now failing all his classes. My suspision is they are back together??He is sneaky with the phone, internet and other devices I have learned he can use. It is hard to see a kid go from one end of the spectrum to the other. I am only dealing with home sickness and stubbrorness, but I feel like I am breaking a stallion all of a sudden. Where did my sweet boy go who use to tell me the truth and be respectfull? My husband and I blame ourselves for moving and failing to punish him affectively. I now understand why my dad said this hurts me more than you know. They also say what doesn't kill us makes us stronger was either referring to having a teenager or has never lived with one. It sounds like you are doing everything possible minus hog tying him to his bed.....I am new to this stage in his life and it is hard stuff. You are a good mother and my prayers and hugs go out to you.
deleted_user
Lex, I know from reading your posts that you like the hard truth. You can't handle this alone. Contact the juvenile justice system about "status offenses" and getting your son a probation officer. This is a prevention program, hopefully not too late. Also, contact a local adolescent rehab program about doing an intervention. The law may be able to intervene where your consequences may be ineffective and to do so while he's still a juvenile before he has to deal with the harsh realities of adulthood. He WILL be angry but if he accepts the help, he'll be grateful in the long run. Your time and chances are running out, but they aren't gone. You may also consider seeking out a therapist who counsels adolescents and adults with whom you can consult and who can provide emotional support. Many factors influence kids today and adolescents can go astray without and in spite of any "help" from us. Hang in there.
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