as the blood pressure rises...

My son still does not get the gravity of his situation. He was feeling optimistic because he stayed after school last week and is catching on in Algebra. Unfortunately, his Algebra grades haven't improved. It is lack of effort, rather than lack of ability. He also slipped two more letter grades this week. He now has a C in English and an F in Creative Writing. His life ambition is to be a writer. I don't know what's going on with him. His response was that he didn't expect to fail, he just thought that he could skip a few assignments without it affecting his grades too badly.

Hmmm...but what about the last four months of us reminding him, warning him and harrassing him?

Maybe he really doesn't care?
Maybe he's depressed?
Maybe his ego is out of control?
I don't know. He just says he was unmotivated.

How is this for motivation: All make up work must be turned in by Friday, and all work completed this week must be at least a C, or he is leaving public school. No debate club, no drama club, no class ring, no prom.

Why does it hurt me more than him?

I am drowning here. I am doing my best; it just doesn't seem nearly good enough.