BloodiedButUnbowed
Well-Known Member
Difficult stepson is having a terrible year in school. We haven't spoken to him since last spring, but we keep tabs on him through his school's online gradebook and weekly reports from his counselor (he has a 504 plan).
He is 16 and a junior, and won't have enough credits to graduate next year without summer school probably this summer AND next, meaning he's hosed his chances to graduate with his classmates regardless.
Throughout this long-term estrangement, my wife (his mom) has been keeping in touch by sending him cards in the mail and texts he didn't return. I would also occasionally send a text to say hello and remind him we are still his family and are here for him.
Earlier this week, after hearing from his counselor that he was beginning to talk about dropping out of school, that he didn't see the point of a diploma, etc. I sent him a text saying in part that we would much rather he go to school online than drop out, but that there would be conditions. And for the first time in many months, he responded. He said that he had been "contemplating" reaching out to his mother and me for a while and didn't want me to think that the possibility of online school was the only reason he replied. But he is adamant that traditional high school is not working for him and online school is his "only chance".
He lives with his dad who is very secretive about how he is raising Difficult Stepson and his younger brother. We know that Difficult Stepson has a friend, possibly girlfriend, across the street who is attending online school. His younger brother has told us that the girl does very little work and we suspect that part of Difficult Stepson's angle is to simply avoid the responsibility of having to complete assignments and follow directions from teachers.
At the same time, while I think manipulation is there, there's also a cry for help buried within. We haven't told him we are willing to give the go-ahead for online school. Difficult Son suggested we get together to discuss it so we are taking him out to dinner tonight.
I will keep the thread updated.....
He is 16 and a junior, and won't have enough credits to graduate next year without summer school probably this summer AND next, meaning he's hosed his chances to graduate with his classmates regardless.
Throughout this long-term estrangement, my wife (his mom) has been keeping in touch by sending him cards in the mail and texts he didn't return. I would also occasionally send a text to say hello and remind him we are still his family and are here for him.
Earlier this week, after hearing from his counselor that he was beginning to talk about dropping out of school, that he didn't see the point of a diploma, etc. I sent him a text saying in part that we would much rather he go to school online than drop out, but that there would be conditions. And for the first time in many months, he responded. He said that he had been "contemplating" reaching out to his mother and me for a while and didn't want me to think that the possibility of online school was the only reason he replied. But he is adamant that traditional high school is not working for him and online school is his "only chance".
He lives with his dad who is very secretive about how he is raising Difficult Stepson and his younger brother. We know that Difficult Stepson has a friend, possibly girlfriend, across the street who is attending online school. His younger brother has told us that the girl does very little work and we suspect that part of Difficult Stepson's angle is to simply avoid the responsibility of having to complete assignments and follow directions from teachers.
At the same time, while I think manipulation is there, there's also a cry for help buried within. We haven't told him we are willing to give the go-ahead for online school. Difficult Son suggested we get together to discuss it so we are taking him out to dinner tonight.
I will keep the thread updated.....