Wow - maybe his mother might be getting a clue about how expensive things are.  He stayed with her for one week, and she commented to me how much he eats.  He's training for sports - running 3 miles a day, lifting weights, etc.  He's 6'2" tall and weight 150 pounds - but has an unbelievable metabolism.  She was astounded when she took him to Subway and he ate 2 foot-long subs for lunch.  It told her that was normal - for dinner he'll eat 8 or 9 Sloppy Joes.  My brother was the same way at that age - he'd come home from school and empty the refrigerator and cupboards.  Watching him and his friends was something like watching a swarm of locusts descending on a field and devouring everything in their path.  I told her that I'm thinking about moonlighting just to cover his grocery bill!  So, she took him shopping and bought him a bunch of clothes.  The only drawback is that she spent over $200 on one sweat outfit.  I've tried to tell her to not buy him a bunch of designer jeans, shirts, etc. because he can't wear them all before he outgrows them.  He wears uniforms for school (khaki pants and plain, white polo shirts).  If he goes anywhere on school nights, it's usually to a sports practice or the YMCA and he just wears shorts and T-shirts.  He pretty much wears one of the school uniforms to church on Sunday, so really, he only needs a couple pair of jeans or sweats and a couple of shirts for Saturday.  Instead of spending all that money on all the designer clothes, why wouldn't she help pay the tuition for his private school?  Well, now, she agreed to contribute toward his tuition and I really hope she follows through on that promise.  Plus, she seemed to really enjoy watching his basketball games and is beginning to see just how much talent and promise he has, and I think she's going to be more involved in his life and going to his sports events.  At least, it appears that way for now.  She told me she saw a doctor and is taking some meds for manic depression - I can really see a difference and hope she continues to take the meds.  Things are going very smoothly right now and I'm really hoping they stay that way, but it's always been a roller coaster ride of emotions with her, so I won't get too comfortable yet.