Anybody out their have a high schooler who just won't get motivated to do their homework?

Question

My stepson is a Freshman and we've tried everything to get him more motivated to do well in high school --- even to the low asperation of just completing and turning in all his homework on time. It's been a huge, long and exhausting battle, and this is just his first year of high school. He wants to go into the military, but we'd like him to go to college and get a higher position -- we tell him this every day that we have him, but it's just not getting through. Or maybe it's getting through, but he just doesn't care -- or it seems like too much work to do in order to get what he wants. We've also talked 1985 Nissan Sentra versus latest model VW Jetta..... that isn't working either.... Any advice?????

Answer 1

I always told my son that the better he did in school, the more choices he would have later. Whenever we drove past someone with a dirty, disagreeable job, I'd say "stay in school". I also explained that if I'd done better in school, I'd be a veterinarian today.
My son, who is 25, is now doing what he always dreamed of; he earned a BS in Aeronautical Science from a very prestigous university, and he's a pilot. He never would have gotten there
if he hadn't applied himself in school.

Answer 2

I have told my child (also a teenager) No girls, no job, no car unless he keeps his grades up!
That was pretty good motivation for him! This year is the first year he's allowed to date so he's on top of his homework and assignments since he doesn't want to have to tell a girl his mom won't let him date!

As for talking to him about college vs the military. Give him a break. He's in the ninth grade, he has a few more years before he has to do anything. The happy medium might be letting him take a vocation or go to trade school or community college so he can get a decent job without the pressures of a four year degree. He's at an age where he is saying what sounds cool to him, he will probably change his direction a few times before he decides what he's doing.
not everyone's ready for college right after high school, so talking to him about some training, carreer oppurtunities he could pursue instead of the military might be more of a motivator for him right now.

Answer 3

honestly, I'm 26 years old and i don't have a kid.When i was in high school i did my homework about once a week and i failed in almost every class. my parents tried medication and motivation and every incentive you can think of.The only thing that ever helped me get on track was the fact that my parents never gave up. I'm not sure if this can help that much but always let your children know how smart they are and never give up, if all else fails take your son for a drive through a slum neighborhood and tell them that they can end up like that.