[momconfused]

My 14 year old has very limited chores to do every day (feed the dogs and cats and give them fresh water) He completes half of them if he remembers and feels like it. He is a gifted athlete I spend about a thousand $ plus on his sport every month for coaching and equipment and I spend several hours driving him to his lessons daily. I do not think it's unreasonable for me to request that his chores be done. I even give him an allowance when he does them. Recently the chores issue has come to a head and a few days ago I forbade him from leaving the house for 2 days to give him time to reflect on his responsibilities and attitude. His rsponse was to draw a picture of both him and me getting shot with an 8mm (he even labeled the caliber) He drew himself holding his sports equipment and he drew me with devil horns. When I asked him why he drew it he said he wanted to "creep you out" because he was upset at my grounding him. He has never shown any sign of aggression before. Should I be afraid that my son is going to hurt me or himself?

[Wondergirl]

No. In fact, please stop the allowance and add more chores that he must do for free as part of the family. If he doesn't cooperate, he will have to drop football. He is spoiled rotten and is acting like a brat.

[cdad]

If he can't remember to feed the animals then make sure you start forgetting his meals too. Let him do some fasting and reflection.

Also if he doesn't shape up no more sports. It's a luxury not some right of passage.

[MrsLB]

No, he told you he wanted to draw it to scare you. Make sure you don't let him know it bothered you, I would punish him more for that. He will get the picture. Teen years are always a struggle.

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes, he feels he is "so special" because you are spending 1000's on him. Time to give him a big reality check.

Add more duties and make sure he knows who runs the house