How can I motivate my 15 year old son to do better in school?

Answer 1

I just turned 16 a little while ago, so this is from his point of view, not a parent's.
Rewards will only work so well unless they're something outrageous like the stripper bar thing. But do you honestly want to do that? Didn't think so. Threats work the same way. If you tell him that he has to do thus and such or he doesn't get a job or car or something, then he's just going to get mad and try to find a way around your rule or maybe spend his time doing worse things like hanging around drugs and alcohol. You don't want that. If you become a total witch and lock down on him, then he'll learn his lesson, but by doing this you'll teach him another lesson. One that's wrong and bad. That he has to fear you. If you do that, then he won't go to you for help, and if something happens, he will hide it from you and things will get bad. Also, people tend to take on roles that they play often. You don't want your son to fear you.
You sound like a nice parent that cares. Show him that you really care about him and his future and that it hurts YOU when he does poorly in school. Most parents don't try the guilt trip. They get mad, not sad, but believe me, your son will be one of the easiest people to get to care about you and do something because if he doesn't it hurts you. Also, make time to be with him while he's doing his homework. Someone being there to help you and encourage you to work makes a huge difference. Before final exams and tests, let him invite over friends to study, but be there supervising and helping. Be involved.
Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm not sure you can. But I definitely wouldn't use monetary rewards. This is their responsbility not yours. One thing that has worked for me is letting the kids know that school work is their number one responsibility and doing their best in school (not everyone can get a's) is a mark of maturity. Therefore, if they are not doing their best in school they should not be allowed to get a job, take driver's ed, get a license, or participate in extra curicular activities. The logic behind it being that if you're not doing well in school you need more time to study. If you are doing well in school you are perhaps mature enough to hold down a part-time job, get a license, etc Also, it mirrors real life, if you do well on the job you may be rewarded with a promotion, more money, etc. If not, you stay stuck in a dead end job.

Answer 3

I don't know. My father forbade me to go out anywhere except to school until my grades improved. They didn't. I just felt really bored and frustrated. An unstable domestic situation didn't help.
If I could have my time over I would choose to have a balance of activities and a parent who took the time to make sure I had a stable and encouraging home life and that I knew how to study effectively.

Answer 4

take him to the nearest factory and let him watch how the people work there and for how much....tell him if he doesnt get through high school and go to college thats where he will end up. i started working at a factory bc i needed a summer job and it was so horrible it was what made me decide to go to college....i worked 10 hrs a day for 6 days a week for 6 dollars an hour working my *** off....i realized i didnt want to live the rest of my life like that....so thats what i would try

Answer 5

ask him ( if you do not already know) what it is that he finds interesting in school, not only what but why it is interesting to him. Try to use that knowledge to your advantage to increase his desire to learn. If it is not interesting to youngsters it will not hold their attention long enough for them to grasp the idea. Acknowledging the effort put forth helps immensely, combined with zero criticisms. Make it fun to learn, you might learn something as well. Over all ...be involved with his or her learning.

Answer 6

Have him get a summer job digging ditches, hauling trash, cleaning out garbage. Make him sweat and ache for 10 hours a day...it changed my attitude in a hurry.

Answer 7

Do what my mom did to my brother, threaten to send him to a private school.

Answer 8

JUST TALK TO HIM TELL HIM YOU LOVE HIM AND WANT HIM TO DO GOOD IN SCHOOL SO ONE DAY HE WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT HIMSELF AND HAVE THE THINGS IN LIFE THAT MAKE HIM HAPPY.IF THIS DOESN'T WORK REWARDS REWARDS REWARDS NOT THE STRIP CLUB TYPE.

Answer 9

by punishing him and he will realize that he is doing something wrong and then fear you so then he will do better in school.

Answer 10

tell him u will take him too a strip club ....may be crude, but trust me, he will make honor roll next report card ^_^