Discouraged
I am feeling a little discouraged today. I've been feeling this on and off lately. I think the colder (than normal) weather has a little to do with it. I takes me a while to adjust to winter! I am also frustrated with how to motivate my teen to do better in school. He is an extremely bright kid, but he just doesn't want to bother with the daily work. He's in honors classes and his teachers say he adds so much to the in class discussion. We have tried numerous things to get him to care and get all his work completed and turned in on time, but he just blows stuff off. He's a good kid and never gets in trouble for behavior or disrespect. He has a good group of friends and takes certain responsibilities very seriously. I know several of his teachers have talked to him about his future and steps to be successful, but apparently it goes in one ear and out the other. He's in (classroom) drivers ed right now (a requirement for graduation) and we were hoping the prospect of driving would motivate him to do better. We've made it very clear since 6th grade that he must be on honor roll (either A or B honor roll) to be able to drive. His teachers say he can still turn it around this semester, but his response was that he didn't want to drive til he was 18 anyway. When is he going to wake up and turn things around? He wants to go to college and do something with physics, computer science, or music. I think if he doesn't put in a little more effort now, he's really going to struggle later.
I have a friend that always says D is for diploma! lol~ NOT!
I am also a little taken back by how quickly the holidays are coming up. I am not a big spender at all, but am bummed that money is so tight. I don't have any orders on tap and I seemed to miss out on another opportunity for some temp work. I've been trying to make a to-do list and keep on top of it, but then I am left with a 'what do I do next' feeling. Maybe I operate better with a bunch of things hanging over me. Or maybe I am in denial of what actually does need to be done!
I am not feeling sorry for myself at all, I just wish I didn't feel discouraged! I am chatting with DH on IM right now and he's very discouraged today. Is it something in the air?
PS~ All the brownies are gone! I guess my mood ate them!!
Good luck. I was not like this but I have several cousins who are/were. They are so bright but just won't do the daily work... Hope it get's better!
ReplyDeleteBYW, I am still getting wonderful compliments on my site design!!!
Well I can't really help you in this area.. all of my kids have had their moments. .and we just take it one step at a time..
ReplyDeleteIf they don't learn they will learn later.. hopefully he listens to you and things turn around..
I could have used a brownie today..
Have a Great evening..
Sorry about the discouragement, I feel ya though. This year the time change is kicking me.
ReplyDeleteAnd we could all use brownie day, now and then.
One particularly tricky aspect of this is that there is a wide range of different kinds of successes within technical fields, many of which that don't have a straightforward translation to academic skill. While many areas do require diligent attention to even be basically competent, not to mention a leader, there are many technical positions that are many positions in which relatively common knowledge will suffice.
ReplyDeleteI think the most important thing is to motivate making a positive difference, because while the connection between hard work and success is often obscured, a motivation to make the changes that make the world a better place is a driving force that will carry one throughout life.
However, I recognize that building such motivations are far easier said than done. I also recognize that with them comes a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction about the way things currently are.
How can he become dissatisfied with his current position, yet be convinced of his ability to change it?
Yeah, it's a tough one. I wish you more than luck.
It's the school and district policies.....
ReplyDeletewell, and the fact that you are catching up to me in age dear.
You need a Panera meetup :)
We've had some (a lot actually) of this same problem with our son.
ReplyDeleteHe's a good student, and bright but he doesn't like to do the daily work either.
Seems like this started in Jr.High and it is slowly getting better. He's a junior in high school now.
He still has a few things that he is late with, etc.
What's worked the best for us is cutting back his computer time significantly if his grades fall. This is where he spends his free time with gaming, since we don't have a game system such as Wii.
Lots of talks from his Dad too. :)