For parents of teenage boys?

Question

Our 15 year old son is smart, funny and charming. As far as we know, he's open with us and will ask us any questions that are on his mind, including the awkward ones. He has a lot of friends that we like too. They appear very responsible and respectful to us. They are all on the honor roll but he's not. In fact, he failed four out of seven classes this last marking period. He loves sports and spends a lot of time researching players, statistics, etc. If he would spend that kind of time on his school work, failure would not be an issue. What can we do to get him more interested in school work?

Answer 1

Try to make him relate his school work to sports. There are always ways to relate school work to the reel world. Statistics you have in maths, spelling ( stories about sports stars ) in English, what kind of sports stars have we had in history in those periods etc.. He is smart and he will get it.

Answer 2

He sounds unmotivated and maybe not by choice. I know that when I was that age I was the same way when previous years before I was an A+ student and always on the honor roll. The truth was that my teachers weren't teaching any of the material on my level where it was fun and easy to understand. Years before in middle school and elementary the teachers were more personal and engaging. Not copy down this, study this, test tomorrow.

You could maybe try stressing the fact that high school grades are important for his future and try keeping him on track with his homework and studying. Maybe use punishment and grounding if his grades continue to fail, that can normally motivate them.

I wish you luck, I know I was hell for my mom during those years. :)

Answer 3

Have you considered checking him if there is something wrong? Do words/letters confuse him? Could be the same problem as Tom Cruise (i forgot what it's called).

If not, encouragement is the key. How about going to a special game is he passes or something like that. Of ask his honor friends to tutor him.

You're lucky to have a kid like that. Good luck and wish you the best. ^_^

Answer 4

He should not be researching players if he cannot keep his grades up. School work comes first in our house. There is no excuse for bad grades and they are not tolerated. Is he grounded? If he is not he should be. They need to know that there are consequences for their actions. Make him spend that much time on his school work. You are the parents.

Answer 5

Introduction
If you want to motivate a child, use the following steps to achieve long-term, positive results.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Steps
1Step One
Praise your child when he does something well, rather than chastise him for not doing something right. Studies have shown that positive reinforcement is much more effective than negative.
2Step Two
Show enthusiasm for your child's interests. Talk to him about them and ask questions. This is especially effective in motivating a child to have more interest in school. Focus on what he is learning, not on his grades.
3Step Three
Make sure that your child understands we are all born with different talents and abilities. Emphasize what your child does well and encourage him to develop himself more in that area, rather than just trying to erase his weaknesses.
4Step Four
Assign your child chores to do around the house to build his sense of responsibility. Create a chart with your child's name on it. Reward his good behavior with checkmarks and promise a reward when he attains a certain number of checkmarks.
5Step Five
Display your child's school or homework on the wall to show pride in his positive accomplishments. Invite his input when you're making family decisions.
6Step Six
See that your child has plenty of time to just play and be a kid. Some kids are so overscheduled with homework, sports and other planned activities that they don't have time to relax and explore what makes them happy.

Good Luck!

http://www.ehow.com/how_2054561_motivate-child.html

Answer 6

you sit next to him.. and make him understand the importance of grades in school...they dicide our lives....it is wholely dependent.
Now a days as parents are working, they do not get time or the patience to talk to their children sweetly.
Teeenage years are very enjoyable as well as dangerous.
so only if you talk to your child sweetly and make him understand that here lays in all your life, he will surely change.
tell him that you are totally dependent on him in your old age.. and stuff.. you will see a good improvement in your child.
I am a phycatrist......hope i helped you.

Answer 7

give him a prize for like everytime he gets an A u give him money or somthing,throw him parties if he passes classes

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majdal