Hi Mikey:
I call it an "Epiphany"! Realizing when you are ready to take action is the most important thing. I guess a parent has to get to a certain point, especially with difficult child's, that we can take the action necessary. This is why, I believe, we struggle so much to attain "detachment with love" from our kids. They are so vulnerable, yet destructive to themselves. It's so hard to watch someone self destruct. It takes different things for different parents to come to a point of making a clear decision. We've gone thru jail, Residential Treatment Center (RTC), Rehab, Detox, Running Away, living on the streets, defiance, violence.....We are not the average parents.
I think you are handling this great with your difficult child. I also think he wants those rules, they all do, they need them. Your difficult child seems still pliable.....I am sure you and wife have a chance with him. Just remember, you can't save him, only yourselves.
Blessings,
Melissa
