I vote for send him to camp. If he stays home he needs to find a place to volunteer at every week. Animal shelter, food bank, thrift store, park program, zoo, local rancher/horse breeder, whatever he may be interested in. If he want to grow up to be a pilot, take him to the airport to find a place to volunteer. IF he likes animals every animal shelter needs help all the time. Hospitals will have candy striper programs and yes, guys are in the program too. If he is interested in a sport he may be able to volunteer or even get paid to be a referee or umpire. If nothing else contact your local United Way agency and they can help you find a place for him to volunteer.
The worst thing is for him to sit around all summer. Idle hands are the Devil's playground isn't just something Grandma said. If he can't find a job and refuses to volunteer then you lock away everything interesting including the tv and video games - even if you have to pay someone to carry them into your bedroom and to put a deadbolt on the door. If he gets loud and threatening while your husband is away - call 911. There is exactly NO excuse for this and no reason for him to do it. Keep your cell in your pocket. If he tries to take the phone out of your hand or keep you from getting to it or take it away from you then you MUST MUST MUST get him calm and get away from him and get to a phone and call 911. The more of his threatening that you tolerate the more he will accept.
I am NOT joking about calling 911. There will likely be exactly NO police officers who will have ANY patience with a boy who tries to threaten and intimidate his momma. It is against the law to interfere with someone trying to call 911 - I know it is a felony here but it may not be anywhere else. Do NOT let calling the police not happen because it might give him a record. Better he get one and exposure to the juvenile justice system now than to become an adult and try this in the adult world. there is a HUGE difference between the juvie system and the adult system. If he stays clean for a couple of years the juvie stuff can be sealed and not count against him as an adult. he won't get that opportunity if he pulls that intimidation stuff as an adult.
