It sounds to me as if your son has a very bad self esteem problem.  I would
tell his therapist and let him handle it.  This seems to me a professional
should handle this rather than doing it by yourselves.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathy Du Bois" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 6:05 PM
Subject: What should I do? A parenting question.


> Okay guys,
>         Yes, this is a Chris question.  I would appreciate some advice.
Okay,
> yesterday, Chris's girl friend told him that she cheated on him while he
> was in jail last spring.  I learned this through monitering, of
> course.  Chris has not talked to me directly.  Chris was so upset that he
> slashed a wrist, I believe only  slightly.  He told her about that too, so
> I'm asuming that it was an attention ploy of some sort.  Chris has also
> encouraged her to give up smoking, and she admitted to him yesterday that
> she has been lying to him about having quit as well.  Chris, rather than
> encouraging her to continue trying to quit, is offering to share
cigarettes
> with her so that she won't feel bad. Chris had already given up smoking,
> but he's willing to go back to it for her.    He's looking like such a
> pathetic and clingy person right now that it makes me sick.
>         On Tuesday night, Nicki found one of those tracts on her porch
that looks
> like a one hundred dollar bill, but has the plan of salvation on it.  She
> started reading it to Chris and getting convicted about her life, but
chris
> tried to assure her that sin isn't her fault, but Adam and Eve's fault and
> she doesn't have to worry.  She felt better after he told her this, but
> still made these confessions yesterday.  I believe that Nicki's heart may
> be growing tender toward the Lord, but I don't know what to do besides
pray
> and I don't know if I should talk to Chris directly about what I know and
> try to help him or just tell the therapist and let him try to help Chris
in
> a more objective setting.  Chris wore a long sleaved shirt today.  I don't
> think that he wanted us to know anything, just her, about his wrist, that
> is.  Guys, I am in such unfamiliar territory right now that I just don't
> know what to do, which means that I'd better not do anything with out a
lot
> of counsel from other mature Christians.  What would you do?
> Kathy