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Raising challenged son
I'm a divorced father (48), currently single, and this year I have had primary custody of my son, who is in high school. I feel like I'm in over my head dealing with this kid.
He is failing most of his classes, despite being on a special ed plan, and does not seem to have much of a memory, or to be able to make connections between things that I would view as being pretty basic. He likes playing paintball, video games, watching movies, and I've busted him and had "the talk" when I caught him with **. I've tried to help him with his schoolwork, but I'm not going to do it for him. I can't. He needs to learn the skills that will enable him to survive by himself. He's 17, so that time is coming soon.
I wish his mother and I had a better relationship. It has been tough on him since we divorced three years ago. I wish I had been a friendlier personality when he was younger, but I admit that I'm not really that warm with kids, though I try to be. Both his mother and I have graduate degrees, so we thought as a baby the kid would be sharp, but I guess the genetic roll of the dice didn't turn out well. Or maybe we ** up with raising him. I feel some guilt.
I just want the kid to live a happy, productive life. I have my concerns about his state of mind and health when I think of where he may be in 10, 20, or 30 years. I just want him to be well. I love him.
Lol!
I hereby dub thee " father of mong"
Arise Sir father of mong!!!
(crowd cheer in a frenzy)
Curious, is your child on the spectrum? You mentioned he's in special ed classes. Have you asked him what's going on? Maybe what you can do is reach out to your ex wife and put some sore feelings aside and just agree to come together for your child. How you interact with each other could help your son. And therapy and tutoring can always be a good thing. Maybe encourage other activities outside his studies. Although if his grades aren't good, that may be a further deterrent. Is he doing drugs or anything? You have his best interests at heart and you love him. Spending time with him can also do wonders for him.
Just show him love and encourage him. It could be worse; my son is highly intelligent but thinks rap is king and only cares about friends who make bad decisions. Also doesn't give a ** about schoolwork ugh! I am constantly trying to guide him, that and I pray a lot. Good Luck man. Khan academy is pretty good, maybe a tutor