Struggling to self isolate a 14 year old

[GHobby]

Hi,
Is anyone else struggling to keep their teenager in? My 14 year old son who smokes weed (which is worrying because he will need it) is struggling. He stayed in more than normal yesterday but did honour although we used that as his walk.
He's not a bad boy but I just need to get him to see the seriousness

[Serenschintte]

Yes it’s hard. Last week my son saw his friends had a meet up in real life and posted it on social media. He was so upset.
There will be a lot of emotions. So steel yourself for that.
I have tried to construct a family timetable - flexible and encourage my teen to do things he likes like gaming. He has also used video calling to keep in contact with his friends.
Are you in contact with the parents of his friends? Could you make a WhatsApp group to keep an eye on them?

[GHobby]

Thanks for your support Mammyloveswine! You've given me a really good reason to not bother with this site.
You have absolutely no idea what goes on in my family to be able to judge me and tell me to parent. How dare you.
You should feel ashamed - and I hope your life is utterly perfect and trouble free.

[coffeeandcreamer]

[Ginfordinner]

Perhaps you could explain why your 14 year old "needs" weed instead of being so defensive? Where is he getting the money from to buy it? And surely he will come into contact with his dealer every time he buys it, so flaunting the social distance rules.

[Mammyloveswine]

I absolutely do not feel ashamed! I stand by what I said!

I am a key worker and still going into school to support and look after vulnerable children. Many who have parents who prioritise smoking weed over buying food.

So I absolutely will judge! Your 14 year old should NEVER have started smoking weed in the first place!

Perhaps the lockdown will do him some good!

[Bringringbring12]

To be fair OP
You can’t just throw in fact your 14 year old son appears to be addicted to weed without posters being... at the very least shocked by your apparent blase reference to it

[playthestation]

14 year olds don't 'need' weed wtf.

[Pollyputthepizzaon]

I think the lockdown will do your child the world of good. You should have imposed one the second you found out he was smoking weed

[Hoppinggreen]

I don’t actually need to know anything about your family circumstances to know that your 14 year old should NOT need to smoke weed.

[TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince]

My dd is 14.

If l found out she was smoking weed, l’d go ballistic. She’d be in lockdown for ever. This is a safeguarding issue imo

[Mammyloveswine]

I agree @TheEmoji

[12345ct]

Your parenting is shameful and you should be ashamed of yourself. OP

[Ginger1982]

"My 14 year old son who smokes weed (which is worrying because he will need it) is struggling"

Surely you should be more worried about the fact he smokes it at all 🤷🏼‍♀️

[PineappleDanish]

This can't be true. A 14 year old who "needs weed" but "isn't a bad boy".

Are you Sharon Watts?

[Butterymuffin]

Not really sure why the person telling you a 14 yo shouldn't be smoking weed is the one who ought to feel ashamed.

[Iminaglasscaseofemotion]

He doesn't need weed 😂

[Iminaglasscaseofemotion]

Would you like to explain why he "needs" weed?

[Devlesko]

I'm afraid it's the survival of the fittest and natural selection.
If he doesn't stay in he'll get sick and maybe die.

I think too many people are shielding their kids from the reality so they don't scare them. Whilst this is considerate, it's not helping.
Tell them the truth, show them the pictures, get them to watch the news with you.
Show them the little 5 year old.

[ilovesooty]

Is he receiving any support from young people's drug services to address his addiction? Have you accessed support for parents of addicts?

Some of this is available online so perhaps the self isolation period would be a good time to look at these interventions.

[blackcat86]

No family circumstances make it ok that your 14yr old smokes weed, 'needs' weed, or thinks the rules dont apply to them. Perhaps spending some time at home with your child may give you some time to reflect, parent and guide them. It's for you to talk in a way your child will listen to. Perhaps your tolerance and permissive stance regarding drugs (you seem to have just accepted that he needs weed rather than thinking 'good maybe that'll stop him') is contributing and it could be a good time to lay down the law.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Second what @mammyloveswine said. Fucking hell. I don't know why you expected sympathy with that opening gambit. Parent your child.

[20viona]

Why the fuck are you allowing a 14 year old to smoke weed WHAT THE HELL.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Surely this is a piss take?!