Hello, Sleepymom! I just wanted to welcome you to the site, where you will find many wise words from members who can definitely relate to you. I have no advice beyond that already given, but wanted to put in my two cents since it sounds like your son and mine are so similar. Mine is almost 18 now, and school for him was impossible since grade 7. He dropped out of high school twice (started 9th grade twice) but had so many absences that we finally gave up on the morning drama of trying to wake him up, getting him out the door, only to find out that he either didn't get there at all or left early, simply walking past the security guards. He's doing some better now after spending over a year in therapy.
Hugs to you, and please consider all the advice given, even if it seems a bit harsh or like something you're not ready to think about now. I've gradually come to terms with the fact that I'll have to make some changes in my own life (boundaries, what I'll accept, etc.) to reclaim some peace and happiness. It's OK to seek help for yourself from different sources and to not spend all your time and energy trying to keep your son happy, which probably won't happen until he makes some changes of his own.
