Thank you again gents. It would make my job so much easier if I was a psychologist too. We do put on so many hats as instructors. Teacher, parent, friend, cheerleader, shrink, to name just a few. The kid in my opinion is defaulting for his dad's role if that makes any sense. I feel like the dad is more interested in seeing his son become a pilot. He walks in half asleep somedays that I feel like perhaps he does not have the same amount of motivation the older man does.
In this situation like Cub said I have to help him realize his potential. On the bright side he is a good stick has a natural way about him, but has a fear of failing or perhaps even a fear of disappointing me...