Dear Cr-Abby from Sports Dad Down South

DEAR CR-ABBY:
My youngest son, "Trent," is 17. At a very early age it became apparent that he was a gifted athlete. Years of stellar performance in baseball and other sports have elevated him to a high social status -- and it has created a rift between us.
Trent has become unmanageable. He regards my influence, direction and discipline to be nothing more than a daily hindrance. Somewhere in the sports mania, I lost control as a father.
As his only parent (and support), I wonder how many other parents are really aware of the crushing burden and peer pressure these young people experience in the quest for athletic perfection. I have and always will support my son's goals, but I see a disassociation with reality while he revels in his status. A college scholarship is a given.
Is my issue unique? Do you have any advice for me?
-- SPORTS DAD DOWN SOUTH

Dear Lion in Winter,

As you know, physical maturity and emotional maturity run on different race tracks. Perhaps you made mistakes and perhaps not, but there is only one course of action and it has short term risks but the status quo already has those risks as part of the program. Hence, you have to reach deep down in your diaphram and ROAR.

Your self-respect is only as valuable as your inclination to assert and defend it. You have sway over his life relative to money and while a scholarship and trinkets will abound without your influence and despite them, all college kids need dough/support and nurture.

If he is as good as you say, no doubt a number of sports agents will attempt to supplant your position...just accept that as evitable. However, these same agents and pals are nothing more than fair weather abettors. Watch what happens when there is a career ending injury, or he is beat out by the next Big Man on Campus. When your son has the evitable tough times (there is no escape from life's rain fall) they will be less supportive than you and he will run back. However, you have to show your son that his father deserves respect but loves him for his fame and faults.

In an earlier day, I would have suggested what my 5' 7" grandfather did to my 6' 3" father when he was 17 and feeling uppity...(grandad sent him to the canvas in one blow), but today that only gets you in jail or on the cover of the "Daddy Dearest" tell all biography.

Stand and deliver your terms, stick to them!

Cr-Abby

Dear Cr-Abby from Frantic Mom in Philadelphia

DEAR CR-ABBY:
Our son, "Adam," is 24 and lives at home. He had some kind of mental breakdown at school -- no one will tell us what he had -- and he says he's too depressed to work or go back to school.
Adam stays in his room all day watching TV. He's on medication, but I don't think he's taking it regularly. His doctor refuses to talk to us because Adam won't give her permission to do so.
Cr-Abby, we don't know what to do. Should we let him stay in his room or make him go to work? How can we make him take his medicine? What if he kills himself? We love our son and want to help him, but we don't know how.
-- FRANTIC MOM IN PHILADELPHIA

Dear Eagle-tte Flys Over the Coo Coo's Nest Back to Mom,

I have no idea how to help.

That said, I need to talk to you right away...please call. I had a really bad day at work and am not sure I can go on. I'm going to move in with you and watch TV and eat Cheeto's till my toes turn orange.

My Dr. says I need my rest but I'm not going to tell you why nor do I think I have the coping skills to contribute anything for rent. He gave me some meds but I don't want to take them because when I watch South park on my meds, I don't get the humor.

Thanks Mom, see you Tuesday. What time is breakfast? I like my eggs poached,...no make that coddled just like how you have coddled your 24 year old Egg head. Get his bum butt outta bed and back in the game. Life gave him a kick and he needs to learn how to take a punch, get up and move on.

Cr-Abby

PS; In the off chance that this is more than a wimp going into hibernation in mommy's cave, have him turned over to a "mental care facility" for inpatient care..let them handle the eggs.