16 yr old stepson, can't be bothered to get p/t job, smoking, lazy etc. what would you do?

[mansfield]

Long winded post. 16yr old stepson, just started sixth form lives with me, dad, 3yr old and 17 yr old sister. Now hes 16 we feel he should get weekend work to buy clothes etc. etc. and also get some experience of work environment. Hes made minimal effort to do so despite us being on his back every day. Of the 11 application forms hes filled in, I've got him about 9 of those. Only one interview so far. Husband now says he has to go and stay with his mum (who he rarely sees) to make him realise which side his breads buttered on. This will mean train to school, living out in sticks etc. SS has also started smoking, threw darts in his bedroom door and is generally lazy, moody and its getting us down. He doesn't feel he needs to get a job as sixth is hard enough anyway!! What do we do.

DC, I think Mansfield is rather more on her SS's side than her dh (his father). She is actually questioning whether it is a good idea to send him to his Mums.

I agree with helliebean and I don't understand why people think that a sixteen year old shouldn't have a job for a few hours a week.
They need to learn the value of money. They need to learn that nothing in life is free.

However, I do agree it is very difficult to come by part time jobs at this age and it may take longer than expected. I know lots of teenagers who get their first jobs through their parents contacts.

Being lazy and moody often goes with the territory but his will pass (hopefully).

Have you tried negotiating with ss on how the situation could be managed? You may find this more constructive than "being on his back".

Mansfield, I don't think it will help sending him to his Mums. As has been said it will alienate him and do nothing for his studying or his relationships with his Dad and yourself.

Best wishes