Not to gloat, please don't think that but reading some of the threads on here there is some real heartache going on and God knows I've had my fair share with my DS who is 13. I guess I just wanted to post some positive stuff in the hope that it might provide a light at the end of the tunnel for others?
Spent the day out with my DC today - we played hookie from school, yes, OK shoot me but they have both been through an enormous amount of turmoil over the last 6 months, this has been something that was really really important for the three of us.
DS can be vile, really really awful - it would take a 10 page essay just to scratch the surface of the problems he suffers / has caused.
Today though, oh my goodness I could just burst. He was funny, witty, intelligent, empathetic, showed such care and delight in his DSis who is 9. I couldn't have asked for better company. I suspect his school are so bloody fed up of him that they can't see the good for the bad (and it can be bad) but if they could have spent 10 minutes with him today I am convinced that things would turn around for him.
Gush gush gush - this young man has had so much to deal with in his short life - loss of siblings, his own birth mother etc etc and there have been times when I have looked at him like he is some vile thing. I too have been through the mill with his father in the last year and I'm a little ashamed to say that I wondered at times why on earth I was being left to deal with him (his father has left us).
Today I know why - he is bloody gorgeous that's what he is and I'm proud to call him my son. I know that within about 48 hours he will no doubt cause me grief, the school will be on the phone etc etc so I am going take today and treasure it forever.
These teens are bloody hard work - but underneath they are still the young people we love and adore.
There - I feel better for that!