I have 2 sons and 1 daughter. I have raised my children to be opinionated and independent but thoughtful and selfless. To be assertive but respectful well thought and active. I wanted them to be conscious of world events, race relations and all type of current events in their little world. At least this is the direction I wanted my parenting to take. Now reading this as I type it seems a lot to ask of a child that trying to find out his or her place in this world. Trying to find out who they are what they love and don’t like. As parents we all have this vision of who we would love our children to be but we can’t make them who we want them to be they have to want to be that person, they have to want to be in that mold. Lately I’ve had 2 children that are in high-school. One is a senior about to graduate but does not want anything to do with college. I have no issue with him not wanting college but my issue is he is not trying to do anything at all, no plans , no ideas, nothing…. As I try to guide him into different paths for his future I’m always hit with this nonchalant attitude like a million dollars is going to hit him in the head…. My wife and I just have massive concerns about his future due to his low activity about future plans… I also have a so in the 9th grade and last night we had a conversation about him playing a sport at the next level as he complains about going to high-school and not wanting to go to practice. As I tell him I’ve been where he has been and try to give him tips of how to get better in his sport of choice he just feels like he knows it all and does not want to take my advice on anything. I’m just frustrated with the fact of saying outrageous things and believing the statement made is sensible. As a parent I don’t want to give up but in the same breath I feel the best teacher is life lessons… so if that’s what he chose I’m going to have to let him make his decisions.