15yr old "silly" behaviour!

[suzzyb]

My son is 15 and a lovely lad but easily led. He has really turned a corner at school and i thought things were looking up - but last night the Police came as he had been seen kicking a fixed traffic bollard together with some friends. He has had a few minor tellings off from them over the last couple of years. I ground him, tell him off, make him go without, take his phone off him and he is good for a few weeks then he starts drifting off again.

I know it is perhaps "just being a teenager" but when the Police call I worry sick because i don't want him getting a record and it's that thing that I was always brought up to respect the Police so it frightens me when they visit.

How can i get him to realise there could be consequences to his actions?

Sue

My son did exactly the same as yours and hadn't a clue about the impact it might have on his future. He saw it as a bit of fun without realising the consequences. He got himself into a bit more than a bit of trouble. When the police got involved they gave us the option of engaging with a police officer who dealt specifically with youths. From memory I think we rang the community policing unit. We had the option of going to the police station to talk to a police officer allocated specifically to teenagers. In the end the police officer came to our house. The officer spelt out the consequences of having a criminal record i.e difficulty getting a job, get into a college or university, cannot travel to America etc and end up in prison. He even mentioned that a criminal record might impinge on my job.

It turned out my 14 year old hadn't a clue about the implications and it was all news to him. Don't assume your son understands the implications of his behaviour. Teenagers think that life is all about having a laugh.

Personally I would not advocate punishment until he is educated about the possible implications. Treat him as a young adult and he stands a good chance of behaving like one. Good luck!

Thanks BrowersBlues. I wondered about seeing if a police person could talk to him.
I know he should know the consequences and I know what he does is wrong (previous comment) and that is what is do frustrating. He's not malicious it violent or anything he is very caring and loving.

I've brought both my children up with manners etc and that's another reason why I despair!

I worry for his future and hope things don't escalate and I just want someone to get through to him.

Thanks again for helping me realise it's not just my son! ??