I have a teen son that displays what I read to be typical middle child attitudes. He seems to have an Eeyore complex. He also seems truly depressed. We have been very unstructured here, and though I try and try, I struggle with brain fog, fatigue, and therefore -- inconsistancy. But I think the lack of structure and consistancy further annoy the issues (or maybe are even the root of them).
Deb
Dear Deb,
I love your term Eeyore Complex! This would fit many students I work with! You are correct in assuming that the lack of structure and consistancy is the issue! There are many ways to introduce struction into your routine. The easiest is to make a daily priority list of the things that need to be done. Put the top priorities on the top of the list. As you move down on the list the priority is less. Put the fun stuff you would like to do at the bottom of the list. This is your incentive to complete what is at the top to do the fun stuff at the bottom. You can create the same structure for your son. Give him a list, or let him help you write it. Find out what is a priority to him. Help him understand how to prioritize things in his life (even some adults are not sure how to do that.) Discuss why things are a priority and why others are not.
Remember that life will always get in the way and you will want to adjust your list according to the possibility that you will not get everything on the list accomplished. Don't make the list so long that you will never get it done. When life gets in the way, focus on life and when you can, come back to the list and continue where you left off. This system has worked for many of us that tend to be 'free spirits'.
If you aim at nothing, you will hit nothing... If you aim at a goal, you just might hit it. With practice, you will!
Blessings,
Christie
