- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preteenagers today articles
- preteenagers today q&a
- teenagers today articles
- teenagers today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Expert Q&A
 |  |  |
| By Chris Crutcher Author, Licensed Child and Family Therapist | ||
 |
Our 18-year-old son has moved out of the house and has not attended school for the past three school days. (He is a senior in high school.) We don't know where he is staying. We found his cell phone and checked the text and voice messages, and found out he is dealing drugs. We have turned over the information to the police. Is there anything else we should be doing? I fear that a relationship with our son is forever broken.
It may well be broken, and the drug dealing is what broke it. He may be very angry with you now, and about the only thing you can do is say that drug dealing is simply something you can't accommodate, and then make yourselves available to and for him when/if he sees why you feel that way.
It's always a tough thing when you have to choose between blood and your morality, and it's usually costly. But you have already turned the phone over, and the police will do what they do. Now you just have to let him know you're there for him when he wants you, but that you won't be complicit in any way in his breaking the law. It's a tough position to be in, and I know it doesn't feel good to lose him this way, but I have to tell you that in more cases than you know, action like that makes for the best in the long run.
Related Expert Q&A
- I think my daughter and her friends are drinking at my ex-husband's home. Do I confront her with this information? Do I confront my ex-husband?
- We checked our 18-year-old's text and voice messages and found out he's dealing drugs. We turned over the information to the police. Is there anything else we should do?
- Our 16-year-old is drinking alcohol at parties. What should we do?
- My 16-year-old son has had three episodes where alcohol or pot was involved with the same friend. How should we handle this?
- What should we do about our 14-year-old daughter who smokes?
More Answers by this Expert
- We recently moved into a new neighborhood, and my 8-year-old son has made friends with the 13-year-old boy next door. They share a common interest in sports, but I am reluctant to encourage the friendship because of the age difference. What should I do?
- Should I wait to tell my son about his complicated adoption until he is 18?
- My husband says an adopted child will feel inferior to our biological children. How can I argue that?
- Some classmates are teasing my son, and I am worried my son will gain a negative image of our family and adoption. What should I do?
- My daughter is getting married and she wants both her adoptive dad – my husband – and her biological father involved. How do I guide her in this? How do we word things on the program?