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Healthy Horizons

Laurie Lupold

Back to School

The summer vacation is now at rest and if you are like most parents you are breathing a sigh of relief that it's over. I know for myself it seemed never-ending. With six kids under toe I was constantly at wit's end and definitely not very productive. Though I was able to get some pieces written here and there, they were forced and I didn't find the enjoyment in writing that I normally would have with the peace and tranquility I'd find in a quiet afternoon.

My son, now home, threatens to quit even before he gets started. No doubt this is putting a strain on our relationship. I don't like quitters and I don't find that he'd be doing himself any favors by doing so. He threatens me like I am the child and he is the parent. It has been frustrating to say the least.

I've taken an interest and registered for some courses, which I haven't done for some time. I found even I don't have all the answers. Haha! I'm not letting that interfere with my ambition though. What would be the fun in taking them if I already knew their content?

These are the types of things that I try to teach my son but he is sixteen and knows far more than I, so he thinks. All those ambitions he had while he was away seemed to fall to the wayside the minute he got home. He was no longer a poster child for the institution but I had become just another kid who is sure to eventually find the wrong path again. I had had higher hopes than that.

Here I sit weeping to my audience of loyal readers as if you wanted or needed to be brought into this part of my life but I can't help myself. You have all become like a family to me and given me a home where I can unload life's fatalities.

Many peoples' advice has been to require that he either works or goes to school. Well I suppose to some degree his working would be positive but what if it is a job where he can never move forward and has no promise for future gratification? Am I really doing him any favors?

I suppose I have sifted through several thoughts on this issue but I'd love to hear from you, my audience. What would you do if you were put into this same predicament? Have you ever been? Was it resolved? Perhaps resolve it as if you were telling a story and give me some input. I've given you the conflict, now it's your job to write the possible solutions and endings. Pass it on to me. I'd love to read your thoughts.

'Til next keep reaching for those Healthy Horizons.