Edge City by Terry and Patty LaBan for March 30, 2020

Right on, Colin. Father does not always know best.

Make him volunteer to redo the worst lawn in the neighborhood. Then sit there in a chair and eat & drink while he works. Then when he’s done, make him volunteer at the homeless shelter.

Len, now you’re creating a sneaking, skulking rebel.

Why would he want to play one of the most boring games I can think of?

Other than running cross-country and track, I was never interested in sports in school. I’m glad my parents never forced me into doing something I just didn’t have the heart for.

He ought not to be forced to play baseball if he doesn’t want to. But I wouldn’t let him just play video games either. Some compromise is called for.

What you do now, Len, is take a step back and reassess how you’ve been handling this. Look at it from Colin’s perspective—if you hated playing, say, badminton, but your mother (who I know you have a resentment towards) made you play anyway…how do YOU think you’d feel?

quit making Colin live YOUR dream!

What do you mean by “Now what?” You follow through. There should have been restrictions on those things any way.

The main issue, however, is you shouldn’t impose your lost dreams on your kids. Find out what physical activity HE wants to do.

Grounded a teenage daughter for six months ( yes, was that serious ) . My wife and I agree, it was the longest six months of our lives.