Currently struggling with many thoughts of 15SS...while he does not appear to be a textbook "problem child"(counting my blessings), I can't help but wonder if it's ONLY attention that he seeks. In the past he has done things that are blatantly disrespectful and require discipline however he's also maintained a "helpful hand" persona; I tend to attribute that to the BM treating him more like a domestic partner aka babysitter, defender, friend, gossip girl...etc. However he continues to do things that we have clearly explained to him he is not allowed to do and while I am a firm believer that as parents we do not have to explain why we make the choices we make and the rules we set, there are times we do explain to all of them why decisions have been made on their behalf. For instance, you cannot have an FB account, you cannot have your phone, you will not be participating in extra curricular activities...for one reason or another...usually it's self explanatory like grades, behavior (lying, stealing, manipulation) but for one reason or another this kid does whatever he wants. I believe what bothers me most or makes me question my own authority is that there are times he's doing what he wants but it's not mischievous. Example, we were very clear in the beginning of the year letting him know he would not be participating in any clubs, teams, sports or other school related extra curricular activities until he brought home is first report card (which is next month). This due to the fact that he would sign up for many different things and allow them to take precedence over his academic obligations...such as I missed the homework because I was at "ABC" club or I didn't study for the test because I was making posters for "XYZ" Team, I didn't know that was due because I was in a meeting for "123" Club...So imagine my surprise when I find out he was marked absent from one of his classes today only to learn that he was attending a meeting for some club...not only am I pissed about him missing the class he currently has a "D" in, but he also missed a test, and obviously signed up for this without our knowledge or permission. So I sit here wondering how upset am I really and do I really want to take the time out to have another long lecture about his choices? The club is a great cause but I can't help but become more than angry at the thought of him yet again doing whatever he wants after we say NO...and hand and hand it goes as earlier I found out he reactivated his fb account.

Am I missing something here?