Hi CH,
I have a 14 year old son who is also a "victim" at times when he is not getting his way. And his way is to live in front of the PS3 or computer and have me do everything for him. Needless to say, I refuse. So we but heads sometimes
He is also doing poorly in school - some because he wanted to try 9th grade without the ADD meds (he is voluntarily starting those again) and some because he just doesn't do the classwork.
He has set chores to do. If he doesn't do his laundry he wears dirty clothes, and if he doesn't do the other chores I take away the PS3 and computer. Period. Oh, he acts like he does not care - but it drives him crazy - at this age they act like nothing matters to them.....but it does - it all matters WAY too much.
I have a couple of thoughts for you.
1. Sit down with your son and calmly discuss his responsibilities - set them down in writing and write down the consequences for failure to adhere to them. Make him become an active participant in this. This gives him the feeling of having some control which I think Teens need.
3. Computer, tv or sleeps - Ha, you are describing my son! I have set limits on the amount of time he can watch TV, PS3 or computer. When time is if he doesn't shut it down I just turn it off. But, we used #1 above to work out the time plan. To ensure that he does other things, I take him to do things and I encourage him to invite friends over to build that social interaction.
2. School - I have been very straight forward with my son that if he fails he will repeat the grade. I will not allow him to go to summer school to make it up. I ask if he has homework, offer to help, everything, but it is ultimately up to him if he fails and he knows it. I put the ball in his court.
3. Counseling - I have done that with my son when he was 13. We had a great therapist that he clicked with, but who was also very honest in telling me that boys his age just sometimes were not ready to do the work required. At 16, your son may be more able to handle the emotional work than he was at 14. If the therapist you are/were seeing id not working out - find another - find one that specializes in teens if you have not already done so. You would not continue to go a pediatrician who never "cured" him - don't continue to go to a therapist that is not helping. ALSO - do family counseling if you are not already. Get everyone in the room together - it worked wonders for my son and I to learn how to communicate.
4. Depression - he may well be. Please have that checked out again. Mine did Zoloft for a few months - it helped enormously and got him back on track.
Teens are hard to deal with and it is just horrible when are kids are not living up to their potential.BUT, don't give up on him and don't ship him off to school. That will make him feel unwanted. Do keep trying to talk to him but avoid "you" statement. E.G., You are lazy". Use "I" or "We" statement - "We need to find a way to communicate better" "I am concerned ....".
Everyone tells me that they become human again. I just hold on to that thought.
PM me if you want to - I really do know what you are going through - as mine had some real issues that manifested the same a couple of years ago.