How can you motivate a teenage girl to get better grades...?

Question

My daughter use to get good grades but has had some problems in high school. Any suggestions on things that I can do to motivate her whether it is an action on my part or a reward for her. She has had some personal problems that we are working on but I would like to help jump start her into wanting to get good grades. I know that it may or may not work but am willing to try anything at this point.

Answer 1

Rewards are nice, but maybe even try to help her out with the subjects she's struggling with. I know when I'd have a hard time in Math, my Dad would always help me, and that helped a bunch! It got me to understand what I was doing. If she is having personal problems, that could be the biggest part of all of this, but once she gets feeling more of herself and is happy with herself and life, then she might have a more positive outlook on her grades. One thing to keep in mind- this was very hard on me in college- was when my mom would call me and talk to me every day... it wasn't about how I was doing, or what all was going on in my life... it was always about how I better be getting good grades and working to pay her money for school and my bills. It got me soooo down, that my grades suffered worse. You do need to emphasize if she doesn't get the grades in high school, that her chances of getting into the college she wants will decrease, therefore she does need to do her best and not slack off. Be careful about your rewards too- she'll come to expect them and not appreciate them as much. all i can really say though is that I improved the most when my parents helped me out- they wouldn't do my work, but if I had a question, they were there to help me understand. Just try not to let her grades go way down- this happened to my cousin who is now 19- she ended up dropping out of high schoool her last year. If the grades go way down, privileges should go too. Goodluck, you sound like a good concerned parent... I hope it works out!

Answer 2

My Mom Used To Call My Teachers, And Ask If I Was Struggling Or Juts Not Doing My Work. Theres A Start. I Just Wasnt Doing My Work. So My Mom Would Tell Me I Couldnt Go Out Wiht My Friends Untill I Did My Homework, And Brought My Grades Up. Well After I Brought My Grades Up She Let Me Start Going Out With Friend, To Movies And Stuff, But Only After I Finished My Homework. Shed Read Esseys, And Check Math Homework, To Make Sure I Wasnt Just "Saying" I Finished. Then She'd Let Me Call Up My Friends And See If Anyone Wanted To Come Over, Or Go To A Movie/The Mall. Shed Call Once A Week And Have My Teachers Check On How My Grades Were Doing. It Helped Me. I'm Homeschooled Now, But While I Was In School It Really Helped Keep Me On Track.

Answer 3

Okay, there is the consequence and reward system. First of all, sit down and talk about why she's having troubles with grades. Does she need a tutor? Is she hanging out with the wrong people? Are they just very advanced classes and she is doing the best she can?

Think about all of these things and come up with a reward/punishment system. If she lives up to the PRESET expectations that you discussed with her, treat her to something fun that you can do together. Visit to the spa...trip to the movies...get her nails done...buy those new shoes she wanted. Make her feel proud of good grades!

If she doesn't live up to the standards that you preset...punish her. Do not slap her for bad grades. Just let her know that you are disappointed. Take away the internet until you see an improvement.

Whatever you do, don't make her want to hate you. Make her proud.

Answer 4

I find goals are very helpful. Ask her what she wants to do when she grows up and help her pick classes that will point her in the right direction. Remind her how her grades are going to affect her future prospects for meeting her goals.

Of course positive reinforcement is great. As a young teenager she needs to be reminded that responsibility and privilege go hand in hand. When she proves she can get good grades without a lot of prodding she can have such and such a privilege. Even in the short term something like, once you have finished your homework, show it to me and then you can use the computer, phone or TV. And in the long term, things like later curfews and driving can be looked forward to.

Answer 5

Incentives are first-rate. I recognize whilst i used to be more youthful i acquired payed like 30 greenbacks for each and every A i acquired and a B used to be like 20. Im now not definite despite the fact that, if she has a role then she almost always wont care approximately the money. Maybe get her anything she would not or cant get herself if she will get well grades.

Answer 6

One thing that might work would be a money incentive.

Example: on report-cards $20 for every "A" $10 for every "B" and so on.
And maybe progress reports would be like half of what actual report-cards are $10 for ever "A" $5 for every "B" and so on.

Yea it sounds bad to motivate the girl with money, but it does seem to work.

Answer 7

find out about some things that she is interested in, such as art, literature, etc. When she comes home have her practice her work using those particular things and if that doesn't help get her a tutor, but make it someone she can relate to!!

Answer 8

lol am going to give you something that my mother did to me that helped me work on my homework and got my grades up...witch every girl has this days is a cell phone get her a prepaid phone so every time she gets good grades you can add money on her phone and when she gets bad grades don't add money

Answer 9

if she gets progress reports and makes bad grades punish her. but if she brings her grades up on report card then u could probably do something for her

Answer 10

A tutor was the answer for my teen age daughter as she did not understand her assignments,,,,Good Luck