I have a very intelligent son who has said he'd like to be an engineer. The problem is that he puts off doing

Question

his homework or doesn't do it at all. His dad is smart too and just got his Bachelors degree at the age of 51. I don't want him to wind up like that because I want him to have his career while he is still young. Pushing him doesn't get him to do him work or be excited about it. I'm afraid he won't make it to college and it depresses me as I know he has so much potential. My husband tells me not to push him anymore and just let him fall on his own. I think I should help him while he is still in high school. Anyone is this situation or was in the situation? What did you do?

Answer 1

Get this, i have a son who is in college right now studying to be an engineer...In High school he did not want to do homework, he to is highly intelligent and knew the stuff, just didn't want to do homework...The first semester he almost screwed up in college and i just looked at him and said your grown and this is all on you if you don't do this, its no one else's fault...Finally he is getting with the program and i hope, fingers crossed he keeps going the way he is now,,,,

Answer 2

I'm the same way. I've always been interested in the technical mechanical aspect of things and have been taking things apart to see how they worked since i was 8. I also failed to complete assignments all the time and my grades started to decline. My feelings were "I already know this stuff" or "All the teacher has to do is explain! what's with all this work!" Unfortunately i never saw the point of doing the work. I completed freshman year in highschool, homeschooled sophmore, and tried a semester of junior year before i got so utterly frustrated with the lack of challenge that i walked off campus one day and never went back. However, i did take my GED and scored high enough or something of that matter that they sent me a highschool diploma instead of my GED, Don't know how that works but anyway. My senior year i spent as a freshman at a community college, and am in my second year now. Don't worry about pushing him. Show him you're their for him and help him explore his options. Things will work out for him. They have for me : ) the most important thing is that he's happy.
btw. I plan to join the air force after i get my associates at community college.
I'm pretty excited :)

Answer 3

I was in the situation your son is in.

I'm a pretty smart person, but I had no motivation in high school, and didn't end up going to college. I'm not saying the way I handled things was right - I was very distracted by my life outside of school (I lived on my own).
Maybe there are ways you can help him, but pushing him won't help. I don't understand the reasons why some smart people just don't do their school work. I've had that problem for years. I just started college last year, and it's difficult for me.

Actually, I think it's because we all learn differently based on our personalities. Some really intelligent people have trouble with the traditional education system, so sometimes you have to find ways to do things outside of class, learning in your own way. I find that the school system is all about conformity. Teachers forget to take into consideration that there are absolutely brilliant people in their classes who are failing!

So maybe you can help your son by researching stuff about his personality type and how it relates to learning, then see what you can do.

Answer 4

I kinda have the same problem. My son thinks hes so smart that he doesnt have to do anything. Unfortunately, you cant MAKE him do his work. All you can do is explain the ramifications of his actions, or lack of.
One of my sons problems was that his classes were too slow for him. Little challenge. But his grades werent good enough to put him in advanced classes. Hense, rock and hardplace. He now attends a continuation type school where he basically can work at his own pace. Not ideal educationally speaking, but better than not doing anything at all.

Answer 5

I think the problem is your husband. He is the example your kid is following. Teaching kids to do their home work is important. In order to do this you have to set up rules and punishments. You have to stay on top of him and make him do the work for his own good. There should be no way a child doesn't complete their homework unless the parent allows that to happen.

Answer 6

Children need structure, that means a schedule.
Also being a parent means checking on his homework.
Don't just ask if its done, look at it and see if its correct.
It takes 30 days to develope a habit (good or bad). Start now and in 30 days he'll be in better shape.

Good Luck

Answer 7

he has to work hard if he wants to make a life for himself