How do you wake up teenagers for school?

Question

We have a 16 year old who has a hard time getting up for school. (Who doesn't have a hard time at that age, gezz). Question is: Parents: do you wake up your kids or do you make them do it on their own? Sometimes it's tempting to just let them be late for school and deal with it.
Teens: do / did you get up on your own or does someone help?

Answer 1

They should have their own (loud) alarm clock. Then, parents do need to check that the teen is getting reading in time for school. It's a pain, but it's the parent's responsibility to make sure they attend school until they turn 18.

Answer 2

Well, I know this is not the information you are looking for, but if they miss a few days in school and have to serve time in a juvenile detention center, it may wake them up!

I raised five teens - and yes they were hard to get up for school -- but mainly, if I ensured they got to bed at least by 10 (earlier if possible), it was always easier. I gave them an additional couple of dollars also at the end of each week on Friday if they were up and made it to school every day without being tardy. This helped a lot!

Answer 3

If you don't already do this, get up early enough to cook them breakfast. It's amazing how the smell of food can motivate kids - it's all behavioral science. Your 16 yo is old enough to use an alarm clock, so get him one. Science has already determined that teenagers' circadian rhythms make them stay up late and sleep late. The only reason we can figure school systems don't change school hours for middle school and high schoolers is that the timeframe doesn't coincide with parents' work schedules. Having your child participate in sports helps tire them out so they want to go to bed earlier. You'll do your children a favor by making them responsible for getting themselves up. It's part of being an adult and part of preparation for the real work world.

Answer 4

You just answered you own question, Go ahead, succumb to temptation, & let him be late. There's nothing like a good'ol negative consequence to motivate someone.
To be fair though, lay it on the line. Tell him, no more wake up calls. Tomorrow it's his responsibility to get the necessary sleep, set his own alarm, & wake up & get to his 1st class ON TIME.
He probably knows the consequenses that he'll meet at school if he's late, but feel free to lump on a few of your own too.
He's 16 not 5. So it's time for him to learn how to be a responsible adult. Oh, he'll test your resolve for awhile, but bite the bullet & let him be late a few times, & things might get worse before they get better, but it's better he learn this now than later on in life when he keeps getting fired from jobs that he's always late for.

If I didn't make my point with you just read the answer from "Meticulous" . That's your future if you do nothing!

Answer 5

I got up on my own as a teen, because if we were late it was baaaad....i would say get him/her an alarm that has a radio feature (much easier to wake up that way). Make it so that they want to be on time...like they have to take the bus to school if they sleep in or they dont get breakfast or something if they dont get up on time. For my sister and I, if we were late we had to catch a bus when it was really crazy and crowded, and we HATED it...we were ALWAYS on time!
If this doesnt work, open their door and turn on the light. If you have a dog, send the dog in to jump on your kid. In general, if they wake up more pleasantly they will be more likely to stay up.

Answer 6

I love this question because I have been struggling with this for some time now. My second son would sleep till one in the afternoon and that would just drive me up a wall. (OK if he went out the night before I can understand) Because I harassed him about it for years. When his bigger brother went abroad to study he told me that he was getting an apt. I said OK if you feel that you are a man go ahead. He has his apt now but does not keep it clean wears are always piled high in the sink and the apt is always dusty with things thrown about. My advice is to buy an alarm clock for them. I know it is frustrating

Answer 7

My son is 12 and he is difficult to get up some mornings. Boys at that age need extra sleep as he is still "growing" so to speak. I turn on the light and shake him first...if that doesn't work then I go back in and throw the covers off...and then if that doesn't work then I go in and tell him that he just missed the bus and he will be walking to school since he wouldn't get up on time. Usually works like a charm...LOL

Answer 8

First buy an alarm clock. They will later figure out the snooze button and hit it while they are asleep. Go into their room and give your kids a wake up massage. My uncle tried it with all 5 of his kids and it worked. Within seconds they were up an also very happy.

Answer 9

I would ask them how they would like to handle it......you stand there and nag at them for half an hour...or just let them be late. Don't offer to drop everything and shuttle them to school if they won't get up. Another alternative.... a cup of ice water will make even the laziest teenager get up out of bed. And if you do that a few times....you shouldn't have any problem getting them out of bed.

Answer 10

I agree with the alarm clocks & knock on the door & double check that they R out of bed & rolling toward out the front door. 16 YRS old may be a little old 2 snatch the covers off of. MOM might find the hormonal surprize she may not want 2 C.

Good Luck,

Mira