by chickadee » Wed Jun 21, 2006 7:13 am
He is your son, not your best friend. It isn't your job to make him like you, so if you must call the police to intervene, it is your duty to do so (for yourself and for him). Setting boundaries is a very important aspect of parenting.
If your son is cutting, he may be depressed. He's been kicked out of his mother's house and forced to leave his brothers, and he might just be acting out. I think you should make him go to counseling. If you provide the roof over his head, you are entitled to ask him to respect the home that you share and the things that you own. Your safety should never be at risk with your own child. Offer to go with him, offer him any help that he needs on an emotional level, but whatever you do, don't back down once you've made a decision. He knows that you can be pushed around, so he will try. Tell him that you love him very much but living with you comes with some requirements. You both need to feel safe and secure in your home. Support him, but you can't continue to let him hurt you in this way.
nosce te ipsum
P.S. I'm not a shrink.