18-year-old DS wants to drop out

[Anonymous]

He started working summers and weekends as a carpenters apprentice the summer before his junior year. His skills have improved and his boss offered him full time hours. Even working weekends he’s making a really good hourly wage and I think he’s enticed with that tripling if he were to be available full-time.

We are honestly fine with him not going to college and pursuing this after graduation. However, we are adamant he needs to graduate and it makes more sense to just finish out the year. The job will be available in 6 months.

He’s fighting us on it and we realize we can do very little to stop him. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

[Anonymous]

Is getting his GED an option?

[Anonymous]

What is the rate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is getting his GED an option?

It is and that's a pint he’s bought up but I don’t see him completing it if he becomes engrossed in the carpentry.

[Anonymous]

I nearly dropped out, but by the time I turned 16 and was old enough to, I had already gone more than halfway through high school. It was hell, and I didn't want it to be for nothing, which it would be. Plus, you never know where life will take you, especially with a physical job, so having even the tiniest sliver of an education to slap on a resume is important.

He's literally got what - seven months left of school? Tell him to suck it up and finish. He can work full time when school is on break for the holidays, Presidents Day week, spring break, etc. Then once he graduates he can work full time to his heart's content.

And his boss is a real jerk to offer this now - he should have said your son has a full time job offer waiting for him contingent ONLY upon HS graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the rate?

$35. If he worked full-time there would be an increase based on projects and they would offer benefits. But his boss said he’d be willing to wait until May to hire him. I know the money is enticing now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I nearly dropped out, but by the time I turned 16 and was old enough to, I had already gone more than halfway through high school. It was hell, and I didn't want it to be for nothing, which it would be. Plus, you never know where life will take you, especially with a physical job, so having even the tiniest sliver of an education to slap on a resume is important.

He's literally got what - seven months left of school? Tell him to suck it up and finish. He can work full time when school is on break for the holidays, Presidents Day week, spring break, etc. Then once he graduates he can work full time to his heart's content.

And his boss is a real jerk to offer this now - he should have said your son has a full time job offer waiting for him contingent ONLY upon HS graduation.

I agree on all fronts.

I think his boss really values our son and wants to keep him longterm. He’s told us many times he’s his best and most dedicated employee. Our kid is a really hard worker and we understand academics aren’t his thing but we do think a HS diploma is bare minimum.

[Anonymous]

There are tons of GCs in this area (and other areas) looking for carpenters that can legally work in the US. Your son can write his ticket anywhere come June.

It’s much easier to make a half assed effort and graduate HS then to get a GED. I hope he listens to you.

[Anonymous]

Good for him! And good for you being supportive. Have you talked to his counselor? He is almost done with this semester. See what is the bare minimum he needs to take to finish out the year. Check on GES programs-- he is so close that there may be even more flexibility there.

[Anonymous]

Can you talk to school about options? The irony is if he were in college and just needed a few credits to graduate he could do it on his schedule. It's the full days that are the problem.

[Anonymous]

So, he will graduate high school this spring? I agree that the job will be there in six months, but also have you checked to see what alternative graduation options are available?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good for him! And good for you being supportive. Have you talked to his counselor? He is almost done with this semester. See what is the bare minimum he needs to take to finish out the year. Check on GES programs-- he is so close that there may be even more flexibility there.

This is good advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the rate?

$35. If he worked full-time there would be an increase based on projects and they would offer benefits. But his boss said he’d be willing to wait until May to hire him. I know the money is enticing now.

Op, that is a good wage, I would offer your son $6k to get his HS diplomat.

[Anonymous]

Sit down with the counselor and figure out the bare minimum he needs to graduate. He likely can go to school in the mornings for the class or two he needs then leave in the afternoon to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, he will graduate high school this spring? I agree that the job will be there in six months, but also have you checked to see what alternative graduation options are available?

We will look into it. There’s a work/study program that may work.