Teen refuses to work
Dear readers: Spring is a beautiful season full of new beginnings. The hibernating animals come out of their slumber to play. Daylight hours are longer, so there is more time to enjoy the warm sunshine. That can be used as more time to hike and play outside. The temperatures are usually moderate, making it a great time to start an outdoor exercise routine or perhaps some peaceful gardening.
If you broke your New Year’s resolutions, or if there is something that you would like to change or let go of, spring can be a great time for a fresh start and growth.
The following is my favourite poem about spring.
“SPRING” BY WILLIAM BLAKE
Sound the flute! Now it’s mute. Birds delight Day and night; Nightingale
In the dale, Lark in sky, Merrily, Merrily, merrily, to welcome in the year.
Little boy,
Full of joy; Little girl, Sweet and small; Cock does crow, So do you; Merry voice, Infant noise, Merrily, merrily, to welcome in the year.
Little lamb, Here I am; Come and lick My white neck; Let me pull Your soft wool; Let me kiss Your soft face; Merrily, merrily, we welcome in the year.
Dear Annie: I fear that my step-grandson, “Tommy,” is a narcissist. As a child, he was bullheaded, and he forced others to give in to his wants and demands. He is now 19 and refuses to get a job. He was fired for laziness but lied and said that he had resigned.
His mother is the sole wage earner because her husband is an invalid and cannot work. Thus, it is mandatory that this boy find a job and pay for his own keep. He is physically strong and has a high IQ. My stepdaughter is afraid to demand that her son get a job because he becomes violent. Would you please tell his mother the proper way to confront her son so that he can become a constructive member of society? — Concerned in Florida Dear Concerned: The first priority is your stepdaughter’s safety. If she is truly afraid of Tommy because he becomes violent, then she must seek help.
Pointing out all of Tommy’s weaknesses is not the solution to this problem. Perhaps you could speak with him about the importance of getting a job. Start off the conversation by focusing on the positive things you mentioned about him: that he is physically strong and has a high IQ. Leave the judgments about his laziness and narcissism at the door.