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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Sounds pretty normal to me. I've been working on life skills with my teen this summer. Also required her to volunteer at a camp for a week. It was out of her comfort zone but a character-building experience. There seems to be so much focus on individual achievement now (or maybe there always was) but it doesn't seem to make anyone happier. How about having him volunteer or develop some skills and earn a little money? My 14-year-old has to earn her own money for extras (movies, starbucks, etc.) so she started cat-sitting for neighbors, a little babysitting, etc..

Some kids aren't self-motivated (my other child isn't). Help him develop some goals and a plan for achieving them. I tell my students that happiness is like a muscle. You have to develop it, exercise your gifts and strengths. It doesn't just drop out of the sky while we passively wait for it. Maybe he just needs a little help identifying the things he can do that make him feel fulfilled. [/quote]

+1 
Also, have him begin working ASAP as suggested.  Make him earn spending money and once old enough to have a W2 type job, make him work 10-15 hours per week.  It will provide insight into what those jobs are really like.  Also discuss finances with them.  Sure he can work for $15/hr at McD's---but here is what things cost to live in our area---do a full budget/spreadsheet and help him see all the stuff Adults have to pay for.  Go house hunting on Zillow in your area and see what homes cost and discuss all the extras (insurance, interest on the mortgage, budgeting for repairs, utilities, yard maintenance), what do cars (and insurance and repairs and registration, etc) cost.....Help him see what his life would be with making only $15-20/hr with no real chances for advancement.   That might help light a motivational fire under his ass....because most of our kids are spoiled and do not fully understand what things cost (I'm guilty as a parent).  
Explain that with a college degree the doors are opened for more things and more chances of advancement and that there are many career choices that are not working 80+hr/week and still are enjoyable and pay well.  It is not work fast food or work in a high pressure/high stress job. [/quote]

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