Austin..get a grip!

I don't have kids.  Do not know the ups and downs, certainly have my opinions, but have not had to live the day to day, the responsibility, the worry.

My nephew has decided that he is dropping out of high school, 3 months before the end of his last year.  He says he is tired of getting up at 6:30am, (hell, I got tired of getting up at 4:30am to go to work but that was what was required) school is boring, he doesn't care about taking "the walk" to receive his diploma.  I asked him "why" about all of this and his answer was "because".  That's not an answer. Then I asked him what he planned to do with himself.  No answer..."I need a break".  A break from what?  You're 18!

Of course, I'm beside myself!  Education is of paramount importance to me.  You can barely get a decent job with a high school diploma today!  His plan is to get his GED.  I asked him why, since he hates school, would he rather study for his GED and take a test.  Well, according to him, he has it covered.  Then I asked what his future plans were.  He had just emailed me that he had his college plans lined up.  Well, not so much.  He says he wants to be a physical therapist. When I mentioned that would require school, which he apparently hates, there was a moment of "oh shit".  And then I asked what next...no specific answers.

It pains me to see someone I love make choices that will have long term effects.  I know at 18, there is little thinking about the future, it's just about today. At some point, real life will slap him in the face!  WTF, it did for all of us!  Some of us were just better prepared!

Austin, and I'm telling you this with all my love, stay in school, man up, get your diploma and then decide what to do next.  I know things suck right now, believe me, they could be worse!  You have two parents who love you, you have a roof over your head, you have food in the refrigerator, you have friends, you have family, you have clean clothes, fresh water, milk, you have unlimited opportunities ahead of you - unless you choose to limit yourself.