It's such a hard balance between keeping kids active and over scheduling them.

It really is hard. You can't just listen to most kids, because most don't reslly understand what is best for themselves. Sone want to do everything and get burned out and done would do nothing. Mac would have done nothing and eventually got old enough that I could not make him do things. He is much moodier when he stares at a screen and now I would categorize him as depressed, but he will not do things that might help, like therapy or cleaning his room, or even shower daily.

When I was that age all I wanted to do was read all day! Not much has changed there, but at least I have a better understanding now why Mom made me get my butt outside doing stuff. We didn't have all the organized activities and packed social schedules kids have today. I spent so much time transporting when the boys were young!

eta: we had our best conversations and one on one time in the car

Oh msbelle, I know how hard it is. In 27 year old teenager news, Big B has a 4th interview this morning at 11 so I have fingers crossed. He has been actively looking for work for months now, but his resume is so slim for someone his age that employers look at it (and him), and don't want to take the chance. He did shave off his beard in anticipation of the interview today since the previous 3 were remote. The meeting today includes a bunch more skill testing so no doubt he will blow those away. Kid has always tested brilliantly. But 100% if he could stay in bed with his computer all day and night forever he would choose that plan.

I think will need to cut his hair some to get a job, but he will not listen, at least not to me.

Despite the horrible Sat with him, I am texting him again starting today with goals for the day and sharing my thoughts on depression.

But 100% if he could stay in bed with his computer all day and night forever he would choose that plan.

Well, so would I. I mean, not forever, but a big amount of the time.

Did I mention the job thing? The contract thing I interviewed for a couple weeks ago is coming through, but I have a second phone interview with the big startup today. I think I'll come out of the startup with the mutual agreement that I'm not right for the job, but we'll see.

I hope he keeps communication open, msbelle.

If you mentioned the contract thing being a full go I didn't see it, so good news there. Ah, do the phone interview, ya never know.

Well, so would I. I mean, not forever, but a big amount of the time.

My life is pretty much structured this way with working from home on the computer, so I guess the apple didn't really fall that far.

I would also choose the stay in bed plan, which is why I try to keep ltc active.

I have been trying to stress to Mac all summer that his life doesn't need to look like mine, but he does need to accept reality that doing what you want 100% of the time is not an option. Make enough money to live the life you want, or adjust your expectations.

I even said that if playing video games 4-5 hours a day and eating g fast food all the time was his goal I would sit with him and work out a plan to get there. Honestly he could almost live that life if he would take classes at the community college and work part time.