Reply to Don't know what to do at this point!

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[quote=Anonymous]Your 16 year old has had to grow up fast, and guess what?  He grew up while you weren't parenting him.  You can't out him back in a bottle now and treat him like he's 12.

To me, he sounds responsible and considerate for the most part, with a dash of typical teenage recklessness thrown in (street luge).  What I see most if all is a kid who considerately notifies you when he will be late, gets good grades, has a heathy sense of exploration, and has navigated his way in the world very well, despite a mom who abdicated her responsibilities and is way way way overreacting now.

If the kid can safely shave with a straight razor, let him as long as he keeps it safely away from younger kids.

If your curfew is reasonable and you are not just being arbitrary and controlling, I'd approach him like an adult and explain to him why you need him home at a certain hour.  Forget the bullshit about it being about his grades, etc.  he's gotten good grades without a curfew; he doesn't need one.  You need it, for whatever reason, so try to help him understand why it helps you (like, maybe you can't sleep soundly until he is home, and you wake early for work?)

Drive with him to his favorite state park and see if he drives well.  I often drove for hours when I was 16 and I was a great driver.  Age doesn't equal skill, and the only way to become more experienced is to acquire experience.  If he is a good driver, let him have this joy.  It sounds like he needs space from your house, and I can see why.

Nothing wrong with scuba diving safely.  Honestly, it's great that your son has not adopted your silly fear of the water.  Show him some respect and say you admire his courage.

His nosy step siblings have no business snooping in his camera, and unless you bought his stuff, you have no right confiscating it at this point.  Snoopers should be restricted, not him.

If your husband's kids object, tell then the truth: your son was raised differently and he is very responsible, and thus he will follow different rules in your house.

I hope he'll get a part time job and be on his way to full independence soon, for his sake.[/quote]

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