Help with motivating a teenager

[ttaylor508]

The transition from elementary to junior high is a tough one. I was very active in the elementary, so I had an excellent relationship with all my kids teachers and would volunteer in the classroom, so I felt like I had a good grasp on what was going on with their education. Once she was thrust into the junior high scene, she was on her own. There just isn't as much opportunity for parent involvement. I think a big part of JH is social and also independence. They really have to take responsibility for keeping track of their work and turning it in on time. Most of her teachers have very little flexibility for late work, so if you miss it, its an automatic "F" and one missing assignment can turn an overall "A" into a "C" grade in the class. So, I found myself totally micro-managing her the first year. I would go through what was due the next day with her everyday. By 8th grade, she took this responsibility on herself. DH and I have already been preaching the benefits of good grades to her like decrease in auto insurance premiums for good students, scholarship's etc.

I think mayanorange had an excellent idea about the tutoring. Even if it was a short term tutoring to get him on track. Especially if it was from a HS or College student he could relate to. I am really nervous for my son to start JH next year. He has always struggled a bit more academically although he is very responsible, he is not so organized which is so important for them to succeed.

Anyhow, I wish you luck!!!

[Biciclista]

My sons were abysmal at the same age. My older son was failing almost all of his classes in 7th grade, and only continued to have an interest in going to school because he was in Band. He is a musician today.
It's true that your coaxing, threatening and bribing him is NOT going to make him want to do schoolwork. But if you're like me, you know you have to be proactive, because he's not mature enough to make these decisions on his own. I watched as some of my sons' classmates dropped out in senior year. And these weren't borderline Juvenile Delinquents, either, these were the super gifted kids whose parents decided that their children were mature enough to make decisions like that.
We didn't share that opinion, so when Son #1 quit going to health class in his senior year because he felt it was a waste of time (and you must pass this class to graduate) we threatened to ACCOMPANY him to the last 8 or 10 classes so that he would graduate. I guess he believed us, because he did graduate.
The humiliation of parents showing up in classes helps with some kids, but it didn't help with mine.
GOOD LUCK, until he's 18, you're the responsible one.

PS after both kids being slackers in high school, my younger son is now pulling nearly a 4.gpa in grad school studying pure math.
My older son graduated from college with honors, but did not do so well in grad school.