Guys, these are some very insightful posts. It is very good to see and talk to people who have been going through some of the same stuff we are. It helps to know we're not alone in this battle. We did talk to Brad a little more last night about what we expect and at least he is talking to us and not shutting completely down. I can see how overwhelmed he is feeling and the mom in me wants to just grab him and hold him forever and not let go... but I know I need to to let him grow. He is a good kid. We were able to come to some compromises. I don't want him to feel like he's being shoveled on so we discussed him being grounded during the week. He will go to tutoring for math, even when his grades come back up..solely because it is an area that he will always struggle in. We told him that there was no shame in needing help. The shame was in not accepting the help that was available. During the weekend he would have his time provided he did not have any errant assignments he needed to catch up on..and in that event he would have to get them done first..then his weekend was his aside from chores. Once his grades get back up then we'll start incorporating more privledges back into his weekday schedule.
It is a work in progress and once again.. every post is being seriously considered and weighed and in some cases incorporated. Keep 'em coming...checking reqularly.
