We are at our wit's end...
Our fifteen year old is very smart, but doesn't do well in school because he doesn't write down assignments and turn in his homework. As a result, he's gotten a couple of C's each quarter of his freshman year. In middle school it wasn't straight A's, but not C's.
We've tried everything I can think of. I've spent every year he's been in school trying to teach him to be conscientious about these things. We've offered him money for a car or a new sax. We've taken away TV, videogames, computer use, hanging out with friends. Nothing seems to bother him, he is generally happy and has no problem hanging out in his room reading or sleeping when he is in trouble.
What have you found that will work to motivate a change in a teenager? Both my husband and I are from poor families, worked hard in HS, earned scholarships and worked our way through college. We believe it's way we have a good life and cannot imagine our son not going to college. My husband wants to not allow him to take band next year, I disagree and feel that it's only going to lead to worse decisions and won't effect the change we need. So, it's a major topic of "discussion" for us right now and I need to find a solution. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Our fifteen year old is very smart, but doesn't do well in school because he doesn't write down assignments and turn in his homework. As a result, he's gotten a couple of C's each quarter of his freshman year. In middle school it wasn't straight A's, but not C's.
We've tried everything I can think of. I've spent every year he's been in school trying to teach him to be conscientious about these things. We've offered him money for a car or a new sax. We've taken away TV, videogames, computer use, hanging out with friends. Nothing seems to bother him, he is generally happy and has no problem hanging out in his room reading or sleeping when he is in trouble.
What have you found that will work to motivate a change in a teenager? Both my husband and I are from poor families, worked hard in HS, earned scholarships and worked our way through college. We believe it's way we have a good life and cannot imagine our son not going to college. My husband wants to not allow him to take band next year, I disagree and feel that it's only going to lead to worse decisions and won't effect the change we need. So, it's a major topic of "discussion" for us right now and I need to find a solution. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.