When is it too late...

I am wondering...

That's right.

Is it too late?

When is it too late?

How do we know it is late?

What can I do now?

A friend has a 15 years old son who seems not interested to study hard. Going to school is a chore. He likes to hang out with his friends playing computer games and go to the malls.

One might asked -
Have you advice him? Done.
Have you tried using force? Done.
It worked for a day and the longest is a week.
In his mind, there is a fear that his son might run away from home.
So he has to not over doing it.

He asked:
"What should I do now?
Is it too late?
At the same time, I am managing all the other stuff like other kids and work.
All demand my attention."

I am not sure how to advice him. I supported him by listening.

As he was sharing, I learned a few things.

When both parents were busy with their own things, kids find their own things too, to fulfill their time.
When the kids are small, we let them play with PSPs for hours at home so that we can do our things.
The maid love it too as they can do the house work without any interference.
When they are slightly older, the kids have the internet games and chatting on line at home. We are ok with that as we can still do our own things.

What's important to parents?
As long as they are at school and producing the grades, we think we are raising them well.

Do we really...

Are the kids happy?

When they are 15 year and older, they seek happiness with friends as they can be fully self expressed & then with the change, we start being worried...

Is it too late...

My take...
I believe that things happen for a reason.
It is the child's life learnings and also mine.
I think it is never too late.
I would keep working on it - Pray - Seek forgiveness from Allah - Be Grateful - Be patient.
Sometimes it is not the child who needs to change, it is me.
For things to change, first I must change.

Try this on.

ciao
Izam