[Indy]

I have been on 24x7 observation of V for over a year now. It has been exhausting.

Over the past 5 weeks, I have seen 180 degree turn! I am not just talking some changes. I am talking total change. I have watched (searched) and waited for him to do something that would "prove" he was faking the change. I haven't found a thing. I have tracked email, phone usage, and getting up in the middle of the night. Some of his "true" friends keep me up to date as to his illegal activities. Nothing. His grades are all As/Bs/Cs. No missed classes, not even a tardy.

So I am "trying" to move past being so vigilant in my supervision and give him some teenager space. It is hard!! Being on guard, suspecting everything has become so much of my parenting style. I think I am doing pretty well. I will still watch, but more from a distance. It is amazing how much more calm there is in the house. V seems so much more happier now. I know I am!

[lucyjoy]

It's nice to hear you are happy. It's so hard to step back and let our kids make decisions, especially when they have a history of poor choices. I'm glad V is doing some positive things for himself.

I don't think kids necessarily fake things then get caught so much as they sometimes try going the right way then back slide. I hope V keeps moving forward but should he slide, remind yourself to step back and stay off the coaster ride while guiding him back the right way. It's easy, as a parent, to ride the ups and downs with our kids and it can make us feel crazy as well as being a painful ride.

Enjoy the good times and hopefully, they'll keep going for a long time.

[Barksum]

So happy for V's continuing progress.

[crazycanuck]

That's so great to hear your boy is making better choices. Hopefully it sticks!

Originally Posted by lucyjoy

...remind yourself to step back and stay off the coaster ride while guiding him back the right way. It's easy, as a parent, to ride the ups and downs with our kids and it can make us feel crazy as well as being a painful ride.

Hooooo - ain't that the truth! Thanks for a timely reminder (we've had one of "those" mornings here).