Our son dropped out at the beginning of 10th grade (drugs, violence, absences, etc). Never finished. Tried Job Corps x2, but got kicked out there, too (drugs, violence, absences). We did pay for a 2-day forklift operator training which he did complete (so he has a forklift operator's license.......but, alas, no one will hire him because he has no driver's license).
After a particular police incident in our home, we kicked our son out at age 16 (obtained permission from his probation officer). He went to live with other people (birth relatives) and attended other schools in other districts and counties. Same thing........drugs, violence, absences.
CB -- I'm noting your final question...... "How did you get over it?" Do you mean how did we as PARENTS get over it? Or do you mean how did our CHILD get over it? 2 very separate items there.
As for us parents, we came to recognize (took us a while) that no matter what we did, our son's life (and education) were ultimately up to HIM.
As for our son? Welll............. I think he's still in the process of discovering that.
P4, SOT and IC all have very good comments. Clear, strict boundaries and choices.....allowing natural consequences to follow (whatever those are). Those are the rules we all have to live by.....our grown kids need to live by them too. That's society.
CB -- Wishing you all the very best! For those who will take the opportunity, Job Corps impressed me very much.
