Ugh!

     Most people I've talked to have a favorite or lucky number.  Sterling, however, has a favorite letter.  It is the letter F.
One month into school and he has an F in science.  This is not the first time he has received this grade. 
Last year he had a couple of F's.  They were in math.  I grounded him when he had an F.  Took away all his electronics as well.  Last year I rode his ass.  Each day he would come home and we would discuss each of his classes and homework for the classes prior to his going back outside to play.  Last year I emailed his teachers.  I thought that if I showed interest, Sterling would show more interest and his teachers would see the effort and help him out a bit.  Our little classroom/homework discussions didn't really seem to help.  Sure, I knew what his homework was but getting him to do it or hand it in was a different monster. 
    This year I am taking a different tactic.  This year it's on him.  Oh, he is still grounded.  He still has no electronics.  The difference is I will not go to bat for the kid this year.  Why should I?  He didn't go to bat for me?  This year we still talk about what was done in each class and what homework is due.  The difference between this year and last is...it's up to him.  He is ungrounded when HE gets the grade up.  I have been trying to teach him responsibility.  Maybe he'll get it.  He had a chance to get the F up to a C but he didn't.  All he had to do was show his complete science binder to the teacher.  If complete...136 points.  He scored 39.  It was the lowest score in the class.  Awesome.  When I asked him why he scored 39, he said the teacher said it wasn't complete.  A week prior he told me the teacher thought it was a good binder.  Obviously the kid lied to me.  When I told him of the crappy grade, at first he texted me with faint surprise.  The part that kills me is that he really doesn't appear to care.  I'm sure he does...but it sure doesn't look like it.  That part kills me.                            
The difference between this year and last?  I refuse to give a shit and ride his ass (right now).  If he doesn't put forth the effort...nobody should save him (right now).  Let him drown in his ignorance (right now).

This is my attitude (right now).  If he maintains an F long enough, I'll lose patience, get angry and probably go back to what I was doing.
UGH!  It is so frustrating.  I sure don't like being an ass to the kid.  Nobody else is though.  It's my job as the Dadmom, though.  It is tiring.  I hope it's appreciated...someday...