Linda, I believe our teens are much alike in some ways, the Dr Hyde and Jekill syndrome. Well, today he has been an angel. I used the Lydia's technique, starting with an ""I"" instead of ""you"" and it created something like: I said: I feel when you treat me... and then he answered: I feel this way when you treat me... Finally, he had a smurk on his face.
I cannot go with surprises with him, he hates surprises, he would not come anyway. If it's not something he has in his mind,forget it.
I agree with you that low self-esteem is the mother of many of our teens'problems.
Thanks for praying! I am not too good at it these days.

