while I have a daughter and not a son and she is younger, age 11, I find a great outlet for her is doing community service. It takes the focus off of her problems and on to others'. I am the scout leader and have been for five years. It is a heck of a lot of work but in the long wrong I think it is worth it. If you don't want to do an official boy scouts troop think of starting a local "helping hands' or community service group/club in your area or school. I truly believe the kids benefit from seeing others less fortunate and it gives them so purpose and sense of control by helping others. If you child is bright academically, have him tutor younger kids, if he is good at the computer, maybe look into him helping an assisted living community with their computer skills (lots of those folks cannot even use email or get online without help), if he loves animals have him volunteer at a shelter, or have him do some recycle drive in the community if he is science oriented. Good luck. Lucy
21 Jan 2009, 10:40 pm
