That's tough, but not the end like txjourn said!!!
Just a thought, if it's within your ability, try to offer him something to stay in school, maybe a car, with insurance paid, and maybe some gas money, as long as he stays in school, and keeps passing grades!! That would be the approach I would use!! Rather than telling him what he isn't going to get by dropping out, show him what he can have by not dropping out!!!
GL
~Vikes

mobowhuntr sorry to here of the troubles stay in his life and in his ear and he will realize you are in his heart. Good luck and God Bless.

Bill Gates dropped out of school

I'd be upset too ........ the young man is making choices on his own, and you can guide him, advise him, reason with him, but he WILL choose his own path regardless and mishandling will drive him even further IMO You've had 16 years to prepare him for life, if he's choosing to live it his way, lets hope you gave him all he needs to do it right

But I don't have one older than 8 years old right now, I'm giving the best advice I can.

Mobowhuntr, this is so hard to watch your own child make such a bad decision. I'm sorry you're having to go through this. I’ve been through this with friend’s kids and a variant of this with my step-daughter (who just this semester went back to finish college at age 27 even though she's got an IQ of over 140).

Try this: Set him down and let him know you care and that you’re gonna help him walk through his options. First, outline what his budget needs to be to pay rent, food, utilities, etc. Then, walk through some viable job/career options that really aren’t that appealing (shouldn’t be too hard to find a few of THOSE). Do some math, like “Well, let’s see, at $7.50 per hour, you’ll need to work 50 hours a week to make 20,000 per year…if you don’t take a vacation..” He may have some cockymamy ideas about working in sales and making “big bucks”, but ask him to talk to actual sales people without HS diplomas and see how well they actually do if he brings this kind of thing up. But don’t get too negative on him yet. Then start developing some more attractive options (ones that won’t be available to him if he drops out, but don’t make this obvious when you start talking about it)…try to get him excited about them. Then suddenly stop yourself and scratch your head and say, ”oh...never mind…that won’t work…” It’ll be even better if you get HIM to stop you to say “can I do that without a high school diploma?” After a few of these, he may lose his enthusiasm for not going to school.

Good luck, whatever you do!

Check the laws.He might get his liscense revoked if he isn't in school.


I will tell you this,my kids would not have a one if they tried it,let alone a car.


My bosses son tried it(i don't think he had a choice),after a year of 14 hour days,he is back in school making GREAT grades.


Elk is on to something,reality is an eye opener.You and your ex will have to work together to ensure that he has to EARN his own way.

I don't mean to sound cold and I could be wrong, but it's hard for me to think that a decision like this could come as a total surprise to parents who are as involved in their kids life as they should be. I know it must be a lot harder if the parents are seperated/divorced, but still I think someone must have dropped the ball a little. The good news is that I'm sure this can be resolved with a lot of extra effort on everyone's part now. I think mountain hunter had a lot of good ideas and also, as was suggested, check the state regs on drivers license for dropouts...many do not allow them. I sincerely wish the best for you and yours.

My father was pretty easy on me growing up. (raised by a single father), but two of his rules that he stood by and would not back down on were:

1) If you drop out of school, you will be out of my house.

2) If you come on high or drunk, you will be out of my house.

My dad has the biggest heart of anyone I know. Hell, he raised me by himself. HOw many other men would do that, but I do not question one bit that if I would have crossed these lines, he would have put me on the streets.

I graduated highschool. Got my BBA and now work for a Federal Bureau. I think he done a good job.

Sorry to hear about this situation. It sucks.

Stick to your guns and make like tough for him. No free rides. If it feels bad just keep telling yourself that no one else is going to roll out the red carpet for him so why should you.

Good Luck

Tom

in indiana you must be 16 todrop out but you have to have parent permisson so either you or your exwife must sign off uless he gets amansapated which is like devorceing your wife the must have real good reasons and show they can life on there own and saying iw ont to drop out judge ant gonna get it done good luck i hope you can keep him in there

Mobow, I would check and see if the school offers "Alterinative School". Some highschools around me will offer it. They may have to go at night but it is a bit mre geared towards there needs. More of a trade school if you will.

I know this won't mean much to him but I hire and fire where I work. I won't even consider an app with out a diploma or ged. What he is doing now will come back 10 fold.

Is there someone that he looks up to that can talk to him?