So in the last two months, SS12 has missed more than two weeks of school because he's throwing up. He has a history of trouble with acid reflux that causes him to spit up and he's back on the meds now. No fever. And, oddly enough, these episodes never happen on weekends or holidays. Isn't that interesting?

Also, he's chronically late with school work and now has all Cs and Ds (except music, where he has an A).

He was with us last week and DH laid down the law with him. Told him he expected him to take his medicine. If there are problems at school, talk to him about it. But if he comes home sick, he will be expected to sit with us (we work from home) and do class work or read. No dessert (bad for the stomach). Early bedtime (you need your rest). No electronics.

Guess what? He was in class all week. No problems.

SS is with BM this week and he's staying home again. She doesn't make him keep up with schoolwork with her.

DH talked to her and told her he thought it was anxiety-related, possibly some faking/exaggerating. She just shrugged and said "well, what are we supposed to do about it?"

A couple of weeks ago, DH called the pediatrician about getting SS in for another exam and, hopefully, a doctor's note explaining the situation. They did have an opening that day, but BM said, "oh, I'm in a meeting." We were out of town sp couldn't take him. So we're having to wait for January.

Like I said, I don't know what's really going on. But the timing of his episodes is suspect. And I've seen for myself that once he's been sent home, he's cheerful and energetic. He's struggling in his honors classes and DH and BM are letting him drop to regular classes next semester. (SS is very smart, but he's also lazy and is hitting a point where he has to put in effort to get good grades.) They've tried talking to him to see if there are social problems, but he doesn't say much.

The transition to middle school is tough, I know. But it's so frustrating to watch this. DH is actually trying to deal with it to some degree, but BM is doing her usual coddling act and making it more difficult to get SS on the right track.

Last week when SS came over, he started crying and asking to go back to BM's. Why? Because DG was making him clean his room and put his clothes away. She has a housekeeper who comes a couple of times a week and picks up after them.

Ran into another problem: He has to turn in electronics at bedtime. I noticed he wasn't handing over his Switch and told DH. DH asked him and SS said he didn't bring it over. I told DH I know he did because I saw it. DH confronted him again and after much staring, SS finally admitted he might have. Electronics were confiscated for the rest of the week. BM's response? That's not a big deal that he lied. He just does that.

Good grief. I'm liking this kid less and less and, sadly, it's not his fault.