I had a very sad conversation with a student's mother this afternoon.

Her son has turned in NO homework this semester. He currently has a 39% in the class. She asks (two days before the end of the semester) if there is anything that he can do to pass the class.

I tell her he has not turned in any homework and that he chose not to do the extra credit that was available to him.

To me it's clear that he does not wish to pass.

She tells me that he loves my class and that he told her throughout the semester (he failed in fall too) that he would get things turned in and it would be OK. Well, big surprise, he didn't.

She then says that they've had some family problems and that they are seeing a therapist. She feels guilty that he's failing because the therapist has told her that he's rebelling against her and the fact that she's riding him to do his work and that it's her fault that he's failing.

I so badly wanted to say, "Hey lady, you need to find yourself a new therapist, this one's an idiot." but I didn't.

This poor woman is wracked with guilt because her son has CHOSEN to do nothing in my class and is now failing the class. According to her, his college chances are GONE, he'll never be successful because of this one F in my class. By this time she's crying.

I'm sorry your kid didn't hold up his end of the bargain, it's NOT your fault, you may have been a factor, but sheesh, it's his life and this was 100% his decision. He will get over it, he will move on. It is not the end of the world.

And, by the way, you really should find yourself a new therapist.