I am so empathetic to your concerns with S17. I have S14, whom I love dearly. He has just started high school. And every now and then, he will let me philosophize with him. Brave lad, eh?
So. We were talking about... stuff. Everything he told me about his. h.s. experience today was negative. So I asked him why. I don't think he realized how negative he was being.
So...we kind of went that whole 'choice' route... and eventually he just lost patience. Can you imagine? So I said to him... okay... I understand you are done with my philosophizing, but you seem mad/agitated at me. Am I correct?
Yes.
Why.
I guess because... the way I do things is easy. What you are telling me is hard.
Me: "Really."
Him: "Yeah."
Me: "So you LIKE feeling pissed off and agitated?"
Him: "No, not really."
Me: "Oh. Okay. So, you just aren't willing, at this point, to admit you admit have a choice?"
Him: "Yes."
Me: "Why?"
Him: "Because you are hurting my head, and I don't want to deal with it right now."
Me: "Okay. But that is still YOUR problem, isn't it?"
Him: "WHERE did you learn this stuff?"
Me: "You didn't answer my question."
Him: "Yeah, it's my problem. Like I don't have enough already."
Me: "LOL. Before you get to 18, I can help you carry your problems. You just have to admit to them, and be willing to tell me about them."
Him: "No, I'm just going to be mad."
Me: "You may feel mad at first. That doesn't mean we can't solve your problem."
