How Should I Help

How Should I Help

How Should I Help


I have a 17 year old son who is a senior in High School. He has always been very friendly and has friends. He, like others, does not want to grow up. He is mature, but does not want to look for a job. I don't think he likes that process. He would like someone to just give him a job as long as it is not in the food business. For his age that is about all they offer. We have been encouraging him to look for a job and apply and follow up. He did have a job about a year ago but his schedule was as such with sports that they did not want to work with him. He now has a small job that is "fun" but very few hours. He realizes that that money will not get him far. He has done well in sports but does not want to go any further with them. Grades are so so and we feel he could do better if he tried harder. He is the youngest of our 3 boys. Our other 2 are doing well, college, jobs, etc. He took his ACT and did not do well. He does not do well at tests and feels like a failure, now more that ever. He is not sure college will be a good fit for him. We are encouraging him to think about a trade or an apprentice program but he does not know what to do. My husband is very frustrated with him and, he has been for some time but he does not show it. We do not yell at him or lose our cool with him. We try to encourage him and strongly suggest ideas. I want him to retake the ACT and this time give it some effort and study. We will see if this will happen. We are not sure of what else to do. He has great friends, smart friends that are going on to much higher education and they work hard. We are not sure what will motivate him at this point. We do pay for his gas and expenses but have him "work it off" for play money which is not a lot. Thanks for responding in advance....Confused
Source: Mental Help Net Questions and Answers