Out of control teenager?

Follow through on the threats. If you don't he'll do whatever he wants knowing there will be nothing done about it. Take away his $$$$$. If he's getting an allowance. Really ground him. And stick by it. Don't let him talk his way out of any punishment and once he realizes he has consequencs for his actions he'll start changing them. Who's going to provide the car, money, games, ect....? No-one uless he straightens up. He has the upper hand here because no-one is realizing what they can take away from him. He just hasn't felt the pain yet. Tough love. Good Luck!!! And don't let him see you lose your temper.Always respond in a controled way. He knows he has control if he sees you mad, screaming, ect.. This is what you should tell his father to do. And God bless you for caring and I really hope this advice helps this man who is going through so much already with his wife's illness.

I have a 15 year old who is acting the same way... and it's all of a sudden. He's decided to experiment with drugs and admits it as if it's no big deal, he's brought booze in the house, he refuses to go to class... I feel like I am at a loss. I have had him in and out of councelling for years, attend parent/teen group meetings, I sit and talk with him, yet I can't seem to get through. Is this just a phase or am I looking at a kid who will become a troubled adult down the line? If you come up with some good resources, I sure could use them too.

Boot camp isnt a good idea because usualy they are not such a good place. Sure you will get results but they are places that will beat up kids malnourish them and other stuff untill they break. You need to talk to him, send him to a pshchiatrist but a younger one that can better relate with him. Make sure he is kept in the loop about stuff going on in the hospital, DON'T LIE! Right now his world is slipping out of his control and i know that is scary. It might help to find a group of kids his age that they can talk and relate with each other about what is going on. As for the stuff he is doing make sure to lay down the law and let him know its wrong but it sounds like you need to make a follow through with it. He won't care about you taking away his possesions if hes stealing stuff. It might help if you put him in his room but make sure he cant sneak out through any windows or such. maybe you can try to take him on a family outing to show that you care about him and that he isnt alone. Just don't give up on him. Best of luck. If you need someone to talk to my email is Artemis5659@yahoo.com

Has anyone considered getting him professional help?

Having his mom in the hospital can be very upsetting for a 15 year old boy who is probably scared but wants to "be a man"

Also consider the possibility that he is doing drugs. It is far more common in the "average" household than most people realize.

Stealing money, taking the car can all be signs that he is needing money and buying drugs. Look for clues such as lighters, marijuana wrappers, or empty pens (used for snorting drugs) check all pill bottles at the home to be sure nothing is missing.

Good luck

stop being wimps. Send him to boot camp. Imagine that dad has threatened him and nothing happened....wow...who would have thought that threats were not enough. Stop being cowards...send him to boot camp. Do it now before he does something really stupid and gets tossed into jail for awhile. Just so you know - jail is where he will learn how to be a much better criminal not a better person.

check into a boot camp and send him there. or look into a rehab for him or the next time you see a cop or whatever ask them about your son and what you can do about it see if they can help with info. or when you know he has drugs and stuff on him call the cops on him and the moment he turns 18 kick him out and change the locks but i would tell him before he turns to get ready and find himself a place to stay if he doesnt then thats his own fault other then that i really don't know

Letting him feel the pain of his actions might do the trick. Why would all of you protect/enable his rotten behavior? That thing of 4 days hiding his girlfriend would have been this mom's last straw. Let him suffer the conquests of his behavior. Not on my watch he wouldn't

is he acting like that because of his mother? or is he just rebeling cuz of age? well have a reallllll gansta talk wit him

sit hios *** dwn tell tell him the consecuenses of stealing nd kiddnappin and what happens to thos types of ppl at the age of 40 were they end up.but dont cover it up and make it sound nice hes old enuff to talk staight up like if u were his peer if nat den boot camp i guess but try taking him to see his mom in the hospital maybe he needs a reality check enroll him in to watever he likes...even if its graffitti make him go to art school to do graff legaly if ur really concerned turn into his best freind so he cud hang out wit you instead of the wrong ppl

... don't just threaten to send him 2 a boot camp.. actually do send him 2 one

well why not trying to take him to counseling he is scared at this point and is worried about his mother