My 17 year old son is a rising senior, very top of his class, very driven, I receive compliments on him often, but lately, he has become a giant twit.
I know teens are like toddlers- hard to communicate with, test boundaries, eat more, sleep more, pitch fits, etc... but it has been disheartening to see so much of this lately and so up close!
DS had a long academic year and made all A's and also made 5's on all the AP tests he took. He said he deserved a summer off to veg. Ok, so no summer job. DH and I were ok with that, but figured after a month or so, he would be bored. Nope!
He refuses to learn to drive. period.
His girlfriend of past two 1/2 years (long distance) dumped him for being a twit. I was proud of her! He was coasting, putting in no effort.
Before he left for a week of camp where he served as a special needs buddy, we asked him to tell us "yes" or "no" if he was going to pursue Eagle. After a couple of days home, we asked him.
"In my own time I will tell you. You cannot make me tell."
He finally came to me just before bed, placed his arms full on the table and said, "I think it is better of me NOT to get Eagle, to make my own stand. You are pushing me and I need to make my own decisions. i do not believe that Eagle will open any doors our enhance my life. Scouting is great, and I will stay with it, but I am not getting Eagle."
I asked him if he thought he would regret that in a few months, years, telling his own son one day...and he huffed off and said he was fine with his decision.
I looked around on the internet, and conclusion seems to be, "You ARE an Eagle, you do not GET it. You have to have the character traits and leadership."
sadly, my son does not appear to have the stick-to-it-iveness anyway. He has always been a rule follower, and we get compliments on him often. This is the first time he would have to step out and be his own boss, and direct others.
And he cannot/will not do it.
Any one have a DH or son who came to months of Eagle and quit? do they regret it?
Or, did Eagle open doors in life, if even for a common ground connection?
I know it is his decision. He turns 18 in December. Many of his friends are Eagles.
Advice?