When my eldest son was in high school, he did a lot of the same things yours is going through. He came to live with me, thinking his mom (up north in Washington) was getting on his ass too much and that I’d be more lenient. Well, he tried the same stuff; not completing assignments, ditching school, etc. And I was only two miles away!

Rest assured Don, when yours is in his twenties, he will remember your efforts of now and the heartaches he put you through.

All kids need positive reinforcements (no matter what) and I’m sure he feels bad knowing he hurt you…Knowing that I let my parents down was always a bigger punishment than anything they could have done to me. It’s not about taking away an xbox or restricting internet..all that does is make a kid angry and make them think you don’t understand and only want to punish. Somehow he needs to realize that this is for his own good.

Where does he see himself when he graduates? Going to college? Working full time? Joining the military? Whatever his future may hold – NOW is the time to act. It’s a shame that high schools want to just push kids through but they have to learn.

I would stay supportive, stay on his ass 24/7 to make sure his school work is getting done, and be his biggest cheerleader- I’m sure he looks up to you more than anyone else. Something will click (it has too)- just don’t give up!