rebelson
Active Member
Sometimes, what we do overrides what we say. So, while you actually believe that the key to "success" doesn't come from a degree, they may have gotten a different message from all the work you put in to get there.
But school is brutal. Beyond brutal. One of mine is a drop-out, and the other was next-thing-to but does intend to finish. So much of the school environment works against differently-wired kids.
Omg, such truth to this, IC!
My difficult child has wanted to be a physical therapist. He loves working out at the gym, being fit, and is interested in the body and anatomy.
On the other hand, he doesn't mind internally trashing his healthy, muscular body with drugs, alcohol.
He's got a Florida college prepaid, 4yrs worth of it(a bachelor's), sitting in an account, waiting for him. I paid for this when he was young.
Perhaps, IC, that is a huge pressure on him.
Another pressure could be that my family (not his bio father's) is quite educated. I'm an RN. Most of my siblings, whom he looks up to, have college degrees, most of his cousins have college degrees. I think "HE" puts the 'college' pressure on himself, as well. Shoot, I haven't brought up college or his prepaid, in many years! I think just knowing that the elephant in the room, is his ADDICTION. How could I put college in the mix, with THAT elephant sitting there? College schmollege.
He barely graduated HS. He pretty much finished his last year doing online 12th grade. & like Copa, I had to help put the fire under his bottom to git r done(diploma).
In his clearer moments since HS, he's attempted a few college courses, but no go. Withdrew from a couple, failed one, and passed one or 2. The drugs and partying were calling him louder.
He still, on occasion, brings up being a physical therapist.
I don't know how much of a dream this career is to him. But to the topic, I could care less if he takes one more college course. At this point, I wish for sobriety, independence and some kind of peace for his soul.
If that means he works at Walmart...then so be it.
As for what others children are accomplishing? I've never been one to keep up with the Joneses, via my children's paths. Or, in any other way. That's just me. What a sad way to go through life.
My husband and I believe that college can be overrated, anyways. He says he'd totally support our children to have a trade vs. ingraining in them that they must attend college.
The one thing that does make me sad, is when I hear others (or read on FB) saying how great their children are doing. I am not jealous, per se'...but I am SAD. Sad that MY son is not choosing a 'different' path. He might 'feel' contented when he's high or drunk, but he is not contented.
So, yeah.
I wish for sobriety, independence and some kind of peace for his soul. A college degree? Meh....