How do I get my 16-year-old son to move out?

[Surfingjcs]

For several years he's been making my life a living hell (and my wife's) we've had enough and now want him to move out to stand on his own two feet. He has no respect for us or our home so we feel the only option is to give ourselves some distance! Unfortunately we are still legally responsibly for him so we are just not sure what to do or where to go for advice.

[hestes]

Continued from previous thread.....

I believe that sometimes it's just a matter of young people(who are all different by the way) at some point needing to be out on their own. Who is to say that a particular 16 year old is less capable of taking care of themselves than an 18 year old is? In our day and age our children grow up faster, are exposed to more serious things than you and I were when we were kids. Every child is brought up in different ways, are exposed to different things so of course my 16 year old may grow up quicker than my next door neighbors child. Since our daughter has been on her own, she has stayed in school no more skipping and has done nothing of the sort that she used to(hmm wonder why?), she is staying with her friend from school and her family and seems to be doing just fine. She calls me every day to let me know she's ok and seems genuinly happy. Even though she's still with adults I believe in her mind she feels more independant. She pays rent, pays for food and makes her own decisions. It was hard for us to let her go, but once we understood that it was more about her and not us as parents and her acting out was her way of trying to get us to let go the easier it was for us to understand her.

I'm not saying that this is the case for every young adult but thought I would share my story in that it may help others.

[dancealot13]

Big breath............I must say, Im 24, after reading all the responses, this makes me scared to death to have children. As for Surfingjcs,-don't give up on him. If you do end up kicking him out, you better call him everyother day and tell him you love him, and show you care. Honestly, by the way you worded your question it seemed love, fear, consideration, effection was totally left out. You can be angry and frustrated all you want, but the love always has to be there, otherwise you really will loose him. As parents you all are our guides, but when we don't have a guide it makes life impossible. Do Not Give Up On Your Son!

[Alfilan]

I am with Surfingjcs on this. Totally.

I have 3 kids and the middle one (17) is going to be chucked out very very soon if I can legally get it done because of the same reasons. He is not violent he is just the laziest piece of work anyone would ever imagine. And those people that critiscise parents thinking of doing a drastic action such as this have NO CLUE about life with some human beings. I could rant on about every issue this son of mine has but I wont (yet!), suffice to say that all the attempts at kick starting his life by myself, his Mother(who lives away), even his mates has been to no avail. Everyone has tried th enice approach, the hard approach, and everything inbetween. To be frank I couldnt care less where he goes as long as he gets out. And thats not an uncaring comment.. those that wrap offspring up in cotton wool and bow to there every WANT are the worst offenders in modern society to making a new generation of ungrateful individuals.

I disagree totally with anyone that says there will always be a solution within the home.

Army, I did consider that as a solution but I would not want his pathetic lazy 'self-self-self' attitude putting his comrades at risk.

So, any advice on my next legal step for eviction would be appreciated.