Re: 16 year old boy

The fact that he is communicating with you at all is such a good thing. Go with it.
Smoking pot is a normal thing to try. Some would disgaree. I smoked pot for about 6 years. I got sick of it about a year ago. I did a lot worse things than that when I was younger, although I had a lot of problems {it would take ages to get into my life story}. Basically I feel your son is normal. And a lot of kids dont talk to your parents so the fact he can open up to you is a VERY good thing.

I know how you feel about your husband. My boyfriend doesnt have those problems but he does have a very different view of drug experimentation and how to raise kids than me. He is of the "no drugs, no way, not even once, EVER is forgivable, your DEAD if I find out you ever touched them" camp. I am of the "I experimented, I know you may want to two one day so let me give you the HONEST facts{not scare tactics and lies} because I KNOW, and I want you to know you can always talk to me" camp. The two dont really line up. I know overall I would have to back my boyfriend up, because I can understand his viewpoint and he has good intentions. I just feel its pretty unrealistic to expect most young people to never want to experiment with pot.

My life would have probably been "better" off on a surface level had I never tried drugs, there are many things I could have done with the time I used up. BUT those times helped shape the person I am today. So would I really be the person I am without those times? And would it have been better? Hard to say.

I think you are being a good parent. I would advise your son to talk to his friend and do anything he has to to make things better. Help him understand that he may have lost that friendship and that might have to be something he needs to live with because of his actions. Has he talked to you about what led him to do it in the first place? Getting to the bottom of the things that are bothering him may help things in all areas.

I wish good luck to you both and am sending positive energy your way.
God bless. <3 Tweet