A couple of days ago I contacted Mentor L about Middle Boy.  Partially I wanted to just update him on Middle Boy and partly I wanted him to help me out.

Middle Boy doesn't get it.  He doesn't understand/care about the importance of school.  He makes excuses.  When I talk to him it falls on deaf ears.  He doesn't care what I have to say.

He has told me REPEATEDLY that Mentor L tells him school is not important.  If I really thought this was true I would come UNGLUED, but I know it isn't.

Mentor L called him tonight and talked to him about misrepresenting his words and also about the importance of school.  He talked to him about "manning up" and meeting his responsibilities.  He talked to him about all of the ramifications of not meeting them. 

He explained how school, therapy homework, and probation are all tied together.

Middle Boy was quiet.  He didn't argue.  He didn't say a word to me afterward.  For him....that is huge.  If he would have been angry I would have known that he was in denial. 

This time he was introspective. 

I thank God for godly men in the lives of both boys.  For those men who will talk to them when I just can't seem to get through.  For another voice of reason to step in...to take the time to develop the relationship.  To show them they matter.