Is it wrong to just give up on a 13 year old when it comes to school?
I have been busting my ass for half of 7th, and now a quarter of 8th grade talking to his teachers, counselors, and principals trying to stay on top of his assignments and homework that HE should be doing on his own, and it’s starting to take a serious toll on me.
It’s sucking because he just doesn’t care, AT ALL! He has straight F’s, and not just boarder line F’s. I’m talking 19% type F’s! Remember when just showing up for class counted for at least 1/4 of your grade?
I go over his homework every.single.night and help him do it, just for him not to turn it in, resulting in a missing grade of a big fat F. When I ask what happened he says that he couldn’t find it when the teacher ask.
The thing is, what I am doing is making no difference, so I want to just let it go and leave it up to him. I’m just really pissed off, but more importantly, I am disappointed. Highly. I just don’t know what more I can do, and then I think that I have just held his hand for so long that he’s use to it. I really don’t think cutting the cord at this point is a bad thing, but my heart tells me otherwise.
What would you do? It’s making me crazy, for reals.
teenagers, school, grades, Junior High School
On this day..
- Rachel Ray French Dip Soup - 2007
- Content Isn't Always King - 2006
- Michael's Laptop Died - 2006
- Fixing Your Own Appliances - 2006
- Hawaii Earthquake - 2006
- The Baby Kitty Vandal - 2006
- Hiking - 2005
Comments
Is it possible to have a doctor check him out and recommend a homebound program? In our district, if a doctor orders it, the school has to provide a homebound teacher. We had to do that with Boomer for half a year and it made a huge difference.
You could try getting those stickie tabs so he can easily identify what is what in his binder or bag. You know, the type of tabs people use to bookmark important pages in books? Those always help me find what I’m looking for.
Does your son do things to occupy his time which is suppose to be homework time? (ie: is he playing video games, watching tv, computer, etc instead of doing h/w). Maybe start taking away things that matter to him unless he improves his grades. That could help.
I’m so sorry, Julie!!
I like Marisa’s idea - that sounds like a great thing!
Just send him to military school! LMAO - I’m totally kidding. I would never do that to one of the boys, but the thought has crossed my mind a time or two with my defiant little boy.
I hope you find a way to help him get through this and he can get back on track. I know it’s got to be hard to see him going through all of this.
That’s pretty sad, but I’d not give up.
I’d just start laying into him — get things done, or face punishment.
Then again, I’m gonna sound like a parent from fifty years ago, when I suggest corporal punishment.
I didn’t turn out too bad after I got my butt beat. (:
(Funny thing: My dad said I’d never finish high school. I was angry enough with him always saying that, that I not only finished, I finished with a 3.24 GPA.)
Don’t give up on him and let him handle it - I think he’s too young to make good decisions BUT make it his decision. It sounds like it’s turned into a bit of a power struggle. Sit down with him and work out some rewards and consequences and then stick to them. Maybe if he can’t remember to turn in his homework you get to keep his skateboard? Try and find out why though. When Travis was that age he did that once. He didn’t like the assignment so and didn’t know how to start so he didn’t bother. He honestly didn’t think his teacher would let me know. Some bonding time without his computer convinced him that this wasn’t a road he wanted to go down. Some kids might be more stubborn though.
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