Imo this pretty much sums up the 'trading journey' http://www.nusinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/6-stages-of-a-typical-trader.pdf
I was a tad older than your son when i got into the markets, im 31 now and swing trade full time. Sounds hell corny but trading changed my life. I trade the same price action setups over and over, hardly exciting but if your in it for some kind of thrill then you'll blow up without a doubt, instead i get my 'thrills' from surfing, jumping outta planes etc etc. Trading is my business.
I think it was Van Tharp who said 'Dont focus on the prize, focus on the process'. I def think that would ring true for the majority of successful traders/investors.
Like most here i wouldnt want to be doing anything else.
