Perking up attitudes towards school

[PollyannaMom]

Anyone else's kids experiencing a little school burn-out at this time of year? And who has got some great ideas to cheer them up?

DS is complaining almost every day that school is boring. (And this is not one of those please-challenge-my-genius-kid complaints. It's an I-don't-feel-like-doing-this "bored", not an actual bored.)

I can kind of sympathize. - The weather has been crummy, they're reviewing for state tests, and the classes are huge this year. But, I'm still sick of listening to it, and want to encourage a better attitude.

Anyone have tips or techniques to share that worked with your kids?

 

[iwrbnd]

I tell my kids that life isn't always fun and that I don't always want to go to work. When that doesn't work I tell them it's the law and that gets them moving!

I agree that this time of year is hard. Have you tried planning something fun each month and having a countdown? That might help them get through these last few long months.

The weather should start turning and that will change everyone's spirits! Hang in there. The down times just make the "up" times all that much better!

 

[PollyannaMom]

...When that doesn't work I tell them it's the law and that gets them moving!...

That's exactly what I did this morning!!

 

[minniebeth]

For us, this is the time of year when the kids have been cooped up with indoor recess, etc. (My DD's school even in middle school has recess). This is the time when the girls start getting snarky with each other. We've had lots of tears after school a lot these days.

I'd like to come up with some things for some encouragement/take your mind off of things to!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Pretty much echo iwrbnd. It is the boring parts of life that are the keys to sanity and good health. Then we talk psychology and discuss it. They rarely ask again. Of course my youngest is 13.

Aside from that my dd's have been taught to find something to do. Growing up saying they were "bored" got them time to clean.

Also "bored" could be "code" for spend time with me. They need parental attention or friend time.

So maybe evaluate the "bored" and mix it up. There is some value in having your kids fold towels with you or some other task.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I definitely agree with the cooped up factor, minniebeth - they need to get outside again!

And, Mystery Machine, I do like your chores with Mom cure for boredom at home. If it's attention they really want, they get it, and if they're just not being creative, it inspires them to think of something they'd rather do!

I found out last night DS was more nervous about the upcoming state test than he was letting on, so I think that was a big part of the "code" for him as well - lumping all negative feelings under "bored".

So here's my idea list at this point:
Making sure we laugh a lot, to get rid of tension.
Getting outside. (The sun is actually shining today!!)
Encouraging notes/small treats in the lunch box.
Planning a fun outing to celebrate when tests are done.

Any more ideas out there?

 

[TaylorsDoDisney]

We start counting the days until Summer Break. Even though my kids are 15 and 10 I still make a big production of marking the calendar on Friday mornings with a big red sharpie. 10 1/2 weeks to Disney and 14 1/2 weeks to cruise time!

I have also checked them out of school on the 1st pretty day of the spring. Call me a bad Mom but half a day out of school on a pretty day never hurt anyone.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I homeschool and even then, my precocious 4th grader just the other day made these comments:

1. Whoever (sic) invented school should be in jail!
2. I want freedom, I want liberty. Isn't that what our forefathers gave us.

Then I said--well, they all had education--then she said she just wants history then. (BTW science is her favorite subject.) and I'm sure it isn't sinking in yet that in 1776, everything was handwritten and writing is her biggest complaint.

I don't have any suggestions--but I do recall that this being the time of year as a kid when we have had enough of it all.

Maybe do some fun things at home that he can look forward to after a long day or a long week.

 

[golfgal]

I have a senior in high school does that answer your question .


Seriously, we are on a trimester system and the new tri just started yesterday-after a Sunday of 65 degree temps and 63 degree temps-spring fever for sure. I love having trimesters because it creates some change right about this time of the year. The kids have spring break next week so that helps some too. Our twins just started drivers ed in school so they are VERY excited to go to school right now. DS17 on the other hand checked out about a month ago .

 

[Wishing on a star]

How old is he???

My first thought when reading about the 'boring' comment was: How are things going socially for your son??? It didn't really come across as 'burnout'. ( Could be, but didn't quite come across that way to me )

Does he have friends?

Does the school allow enough opportunity to socialize and be kids???

(My son's did NOT... no talking at lunch, in the halls, not ANYWHERE...)

Hey, academics are not always exciting...
But, the first thing that came to mind when I read your post was all the other things, his social environment, extra-curriculars like PE, etc.

If the school is neglecting the kids social and physical needs/outlets...
to which my response would be
then there might not be much you can do about that.

How many weeks left in your school year???

Maybe create a countdown calendar???

 

[PollyannaMom]

How old is he???

My first thought when reading about the 'boring' comment was: How are things going socially for your son??? It didn't really come across as 'burnout'. ( Could be, but didn't quite come across that way to me )

Does he have friends?

Does the school allow enough opportunity to socialize and be kids???

(My son's did NOT... no talking at lunch, in the halls, not ANYWHERE...)

Hey, academics are not always exciting...
But, the first thing that came to mind when I read your post was all the other things, his social environment, extra-curriculars like PE, etc.

If the school is neglecting the kids social and physical needs/outlets...
to which my response would be
then there might not be much you can do about that.

How many weeks left in your school year???

Maybe create a countdown calendar???

He's 9.

Things seem fine with his friends. We have several neighbor kids in the same grade at school, and they've all been getting along, and he had another boy from class over just last week. Gym is going OK, too. - They have 2 periods a week, and are on a unit he likes. But I think you're right that more recess would be a plus. They only get about 15 minutes, and even that's been inside a lot lately.

I did make a countdown chain, but we go well into June here, and it looks loooong! I told him for now just to focus on the colored section that's our upcoming trip. I think the closer that gets, the more "real" it seems. Today is finally sunny, too, so that helps a bit.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I homeschool and even then, my precocious 4th grader just the other day made these comments:

1. Whoever (sic) invented school should be in jail!
2. I want freedom, I want liberty. Isn't that what our forefathers gave us.

Then I said--well, they all had education--then she said she just wants history then. (BTW science is her favorite subject.) and I'm sure it isn't sinking in yet that in 1776, everything was handwritten and writing is her biggest complaint.

I don't have any suggestions--but I do recall that this being the time of year as a kid when we have had enough of it all.

Maybe do some fun things at home that he can look forward to after a long day or a long week.

Thanks for sharing the laugh. - I guess at least you know she's paying attention in history!

 

[golfgal]

My guess is that his friends are really saying things are boring because kids think things are boring. I would point out to him all the fun things about school, seeing his friends every day, whatever game they play at recess, etc. I think everyone goes through ups and downs with school, work, just life in general. It is normal.

 

[bethy]

Great topic. We are dealing with similar issues with our 8 year old. I think all the advice posted so far has been really helpful. For our DD the issues have been a little bit of everything.

However don't totally discount the possibility that your child might be bored academically. I never wanted to be one of *those* parents either. But I finally came around to the fact that such a fear was more my issue than my DD's and that she shouldn't suffer for it. I decided to at least explore the possibility that she needed more academic challenges. Well, a year later we've finally given in to having a learning assessment done and it does appear that she will need additional challenges going forward. There are many possible ways to meet those needs. Gifted kids have special needs, too they deserve just as much consideration as any other kid.