Adolescent Boys and Lack of Interest in School ...

[Sparx]

I remember being in middle school and the "cool" thing was to not care about school, or at least pretend you didn't within certain crowds. Do you think this could be part of the problem?

 

[marcyinPA]

This is a hard age for parents and kids - they want their independence but they need to learn how to be respectful and responsible in attaining it. If you take away the one thing they look forward to and/or are good at - say hockey - you take away all their motivation and the battle spirals ... finding the right balance can be so hard sometimes.

Credit where credit is due, he gets himself up every morning and off to school which is a 25 minute walk with no busing and is never late. He doesn't hate school - he attends every class - he just enjoys the social component more than the academic component.

My friend was in the same situation once and the teacher told her - school is not worth losing your relationship with your son - some kids need to fail to succeed and while I'm not condoning it, it's the biggest life lesson he may learn so back off, regain your family and let the chips fall where they may.

My son is the same way. He doesn't hate going to school. In fact, he's upset when he's sick and has to stay home. He's a great kid, teachers love him despite his grades. He's in band, very involved in church activities, etc. It's the studying/keeping grades up/ taking it seriously thing that we are having trouble with!

 

[simonsmom]

we are in the same situation. our DS 14 is the same way. We have tried evrything. he was always a straight A student with no effort. If he tries to do well now he will get a 100 on a test but most of the time he does not want to be bothered to try.He gets lots of zeros on homework. we have tried bribery,punishment,taking things away. Nothing seems to work. we are hoping we snaps out of it and gets his grades up next year. We are grateful that at least all the teachers like him and tell us he is a great kid. what is worse is that our twin DD's(12) struggle with school but yet manage to make honors roll. they have to work so hard for every grade,it would only take my son a small bit of effort.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2428324&referrerid=70088

 

[justjulie]

That was a great link - thanks for sending it along ...