Posted by Amy on November 03 2009 at 24:16:14:
In Reply to: maybe I want advice, maybe I just want you to say posted by Elodie on November 03 2009 at 10:34:52:
Hi Elodie,
Isn´t that what this website is for? To be encouraged and ask questions to people that are in the same boat? No judgment here.
Here´s my story that you might find somewhat helpful. I have 3 kids. My oldest is a 13 year old boy. He is probably the world´s greatest procrastinator. He´s not intentionally disrespectful. I really think he needs lessons in time management just as much as he needs daily school lessons. So, starting last year, I took the bull by the horns. He no longer has the luxury of planning his day. He lost it due to his own incompetance. Harsh, but oh so very true! Anyways, he has a time frame for completing his independent work. If it´s not completed in the allotted time, there is a consequence. Usually, it´s taking away something near and dear to his heart. Video game time is his Achilles heel. I did find that doing certain subjects together has helped him greatly. He´s much more interested, and although it makes my day longer, it has helped us to grow closer. It´s so hard finding common ground with a child of the opposite sex once they hit a certain age. Certain subjects have helped us gain some of that common ground. He actually looks forward to our science labs that we do together as a family. History is his favorite subject, because he´s not forced to read some dry text and answer some boring questions about what he has read. It´s more of a family story time with the occasional cool and interesting project mixed in.
Your son may be frustrated, depressed, or feeling lonely, but just isn´t mature enough to verbalize it. Maybe he needs a reward system, and something to look forward to. Sometimes that achieves the desired results. Maybe he´s just not ready to have such control over his day. Time management comes easily to some people, but it´s such a difficult task for others. My suggestion would be to do some of his subjects with him. Maybe stray from your curriculum and do some things together that would spark his interest. It sounds like he needs to find a passion. You may have to help him with that, but I think once you find his avenue, he´ll be so much more pliable when it comes to schooling.
Hope this helps, and please keep us posted on your efforts and outcomes. Remember, it´s not easy being a parent, and it´s really not easy to be a homeschooling parent!
Blessings,
Amy