Q: My son has started so many things, and then quits as soon as it gets difficult or the novelty wears off. Band. Soccer. Cross Country. Etc. Etc. Now he has a small part in the school play and he wants to walk. I think he’s disappointed he didn’t get the part he wanted, and he didn’t realize how much time he’d have to spend in rehearsal, but I think he should stick it out. I’m afraid to force him, though. I don’t want to make it difficult on the director/drama teacher. What should I do?
I think it’s totally normal for a teenager to try something, decide it’s not for him/her, and move on to something else. The problem here is the aspect of quitting before the activity is complete. That’s a problem.
It’s really important to teach teens to honor their commitments. If they constantly walk away when the going gets a little tough or they get bored, teenagers ultimately learn that it’s okay to abandon things careers and marriages. When it comes to something like a school play where a group of people are counting on him to fulfill his promise, I’d suggest you require him to finish it out. I think letting him quit now sends a message that he is the center of the universe and his comfort is paramount to the needs of the whole.
Also, there’s the issue of you “being afraid” to make him stick it out because he “might make it difficult on the teacher.” He should possess the social graces to show respect to his teacher even if he doesn’t get his way. If he doens’t, then you’ve got some bigger problems to address.
Never let fear corner you into making a poor parenting decision. Do what’s right and then face the fallout with an appropriate response to that. In other words, don’t let the fear of your teenager’s response dictate your decisions. If he responds badly, deal with that when it happens.
Now be sure to be in front-row, center at the play! 
