[Vikingdad]

Today I was driving home with my son and he mentioned something that happened at school today. To give a little back-story he is 17 (or will be in a few weeks) we have home-schooled him until this year when he decided that he wanted to go to the local trade school in the automotive mechanics program. So we graduated him and he is attending the school as a high school graduate. The class is mainly made up with a bunch of dropout candidates with a few (maybe 4 or 5) students that are really interested in a career as a mechanic (my son being one of these few, and he is also well ahead of most of these students in his knowledge of cars). So anyhow this evening he says that all of the rest of the students think he is totally crazy. When I asked why he said that they were talking about drugs and alcohol today and he was the only one who has never used either one nor does he have any desire to try them out. Ever. He prefers being able to think clearly and have his full wits about him all the time without artificially hindering his mind. What makes me double proud of him is that he is willing to sit among a bunch of other kids his age who are drinking and using drugs and say "No thanks. Not even going to try it out." Not many kids have that sort of a sense of self-worth or confidence.

I must admit that I did say that I know I had some influence on his decision to be clean and sober as I have served as a bad example for most of his life with my drinking (I have recently stopped drinking entirely) and that I hope my bad example serves a useful purpose in keeping him clean and sober. I think it will.

If you are reading this, I have always been proud of you and your brother, and this just makes me prouder!

[trip286]

Now, just make sure you reinforce it strongly!!

[USEBOTHHANDS]

Originally Posted by Vikingdad

Today I was driving home with my son and he mentioned something that happened at school today. To give a little back-story he is 17 (or will be in a few weeks) we have home-schooled him until this year when he decided that he wanted to go to the local trade school in the automotive mechanics program. So we graduated him and he is attending the school as a high school graduate. The class is mainly made up with a bunch of dropout candidates with a few (maybe 4 or 5) students that are really interested in a career as a mechanic (my son being one of these few, and he is also well ahead of most of these students in his knowledge of cars). So anyhow this evening he says that all of the rest of the students think he is totally crazy. When I asked why he said that they were talking about drugs and alcohol today and he was the only one who has never used either one nor does he have any desire to try them out. Ever. He prefers being able to think clearly and have his full wits about him all the time without artificially hindering his mind. What makes me double proud of him is that he is willing to sit among a bunch of other kids his age who are drinking and using drugs and say "No thanks. Not even going to try it out." Not many kids have that sort of a sense of self-worth or confidence.

I must admit that I did say that I know I had some influence on his decision to be clean and sober as I have served as a bad example for most of his life with my drinking (I have recently stopped drinking entirely) and that I hope my bad example serves a useful purpose in keeping him clean and sober. I think it will.

If you are reading this, I have always been proud of you and your brother, and this just makes me prouder!

now, buy him a new "shoot" toy. just because he is your son.

Originally Posted by trip286

Now, just make sure you reinforce it strongly!!

QFT

my thoughts exactly!

[Eturnsdale]

Im glad that he is turning out so well. Im proud of him for you too.

We just recently took custody of Sasha's nephew (maybe only temporary) and I can only hope that we can have as positive an influence as you have had on your son.

[winds-of-change]

Good job, Vikingdad. It's awesome when you see your kids growing into responsible adults. He sounds like a confident young man.

[Vikingdad]

Originally Posted by Eturnsdale

Im glad that he is turning out so well. Im proud of him for you too.

Thanks. He lurks around on here so he is probably reading this.

We just recently took custody of Sasha's nephew (maybe only temporary)

How old? I'm sure you will do OK. It is different with nephews versus your own children, but it is impossible to explain the difference.

and I can only hope that we can have as positive an influence as you have had on your son.

Not sure if you understood me correctly. I used to drink heavily. I quit a couple of months ago. I served as a bad example and now he doesn't want to turn into the drinker I was. I have told him that I have smoked marijuana but didn't like the lack of control it caused (which is true). I don't lie to the boys, and I tell them that I make mistakes.

[Vikingdad]

Originally Posted by trip286

Now, just make sure you reinforce it strongly!!

So should I go on a bender every once in awhile?

[Vikingdad]

Originally Posted by USEBOTHHANDS

now, buy him a new "shoot" toy. just because he is your son

Oh, we have plenty to play with right now. New ones aren't in the budget right now. Been spending the beer money on reloading supplies.

[Vikingdad]

Originally Posted by winds-of-change

Good job, Vikingdad. It's awesome when you see your kids growing into responsible adults. He sounds like a confident young man.

Yes, it is. good to see. Nice that I can rely on him too. He and his brother are both very confidant yet not at all cocky.

[winds-of-change]

Originally Posted by Vikingdad

I have told him that I have smoked marijuana but didn't like the lack of control it caused (which is true). I don't lie to the boys, and I tell them that I make mistakes.

I have always been honest with my kids, too.