As a parent I can confidently say that no other force has bent my insides out like watching my son arrive very roughly into adolescence. My X "checked out" again at the same time. I felt the same feelings my parents felt, and now understand WHY most parents put us in: to save us from some silly shit we were into. It is so easy to send a fat check and your belligerent and more importantly, half-baked teen to camp in someone elses back yard.
Everyone who does this has overlooked something THEY could do AT HOME. That is where I learned my son would choose and do whatever he wanted anyway, so I damned well better try to improve my positon to influence him.
It is working. No sex/drugs/car thieving. Nice normal slightly smart-ass, rather emotional,shy well liked kid.
The problem comes from the family. That is who can fix it. If they have the balls to see it.
Bill
