My 18 year old son is getting the better of me, I'm not sure where to go or what to do next.
My son is 18 but functions at a much lower age. He was always loving and caring but that has changed now, he is angry and aggressive all the time. Not much is going right for him, he is of lower academic ability, but also refuses to put any effort in to anything he does. He failed to pass any GCSEs (despite being capable - he had a maths tutor for over 6 years, who said he was capable). He went to college after school studying for a level 2 qualification, he passed this by the skin of his teeth (and perhaps too much parental contribution). The college refused to allow him to progress to level 3 owing to his lack of effort, but did allow him to study another subject at level 2. That's not going well either! We helped him to find a work experience placement, but we have discovered that he doesn't always turn up.
He has very poor personal hygiene, he smells even when he's bathed but believes it's just us exaggerating. He needs to be reminded to clean his teeth (which are very yellow), his room is also very dirty.
He has no hobbies (other than X-box) despite years of trying to engage him in activity (gymnastics, riding, football, tennis, expensive camera!).
He doesn't seem to understand that he needs to put some effort into something. All I would like is for him to find something he wants to do so that he will be able to support himself.
The girlfriend situation is yet another nightmarish scenario ...
Not sure how to motivate him into action. I've tried being nice, being reasonable, begging, getting upset, getting angry. Nothing sinks in.