<p>Thanks Blossom, I know you’re right. It’s going to be an expensive lesson… for him. And it makes me sad. I dont know why he is choosing such a hard path.</p>
<p>L- he hasn’t chosen it yet. He can take a gap year and fold sweaters at the Gap and realize that without an education or skills he’ll be folding for the rest of his life- or get his act together in time to apply for scholarships and programs next year. It’s not over for him-- it’s barely begun. But I don’t think you’re doing him any favors by enabling him to hang out in a dorm room next year partying with his new friends without having had to stretch himself in order to get there.</p>
<p>I know he’s going to make you proud- but maybe not by tomorrow when the scholarship applications are due!</p>
<p>L – I’m seconding Blossom’s gap year suggestion. Just because they’re academically capable doesn’t mean they’re mature enough or ready to go to college.</p>
<p>I feel your pain. You have no idea how much I feel your pain. And I don’t take any offense AT ALL to your response. I’m going to pull out my theoretical crystal ball and tell you what will happen if you take out loans to fund college for a kid who cannot be bothered to fill out scholarship applications.</p>
<p>He will fail.</p>
<p>You will lose your money.</p>
<p>It will be for nothing.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but if he can’t be bothered to reach just a little, then he’s not going to succeed when he gets there.</p>
<p>L - I have a D that is doing the equivalent of “folding sweaters at the Gap”. She’s 23, and man, she has created a world of crap for herself. She is beginning to wake up and say, “Well, I flunked out, I blew it, but there’s still hope. I can still get a certification or a degree. I need counseling, I need medication, I need to grow up.”</p>
<p>I can’t believe the things I hear coming out of her mouth now. I’m not convinced, but I’m hopeful. It has been a long and excruciating road, with legal trouble, financial trouble, and just plain parental heartbreak, lots of late-night worry, you name it. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but sometimes they are just determined to go through the da*&$@(($ tunnel in spite of the perfectly good glorious bridge.</p>
<p>Peace, L - My prayers are with you - seriously.</p>
<p>Cromette – Did you see last night’s episode of Modern Family? eta.abc.go.com/shows/modern-family</p>
<p>One of the story lines is about the older daughter finally getting it. :)</p>
<p>I don’t usually watch that show. Maybe I should catch that episode. 
Thanks.</p>