Each day the first thing I ask my son as he walks through the door (after “how was your day?”) is whether he has homework.  Often he will say, “Yes, but it’s really easy.”  He has always been a child who handles his responsibilities so I have never had to come down on him about his school work — until now. 

Yesterday I received a phone call from his math teacher.  She assured me he is doing well on quizzes and tests — but has missed turning in the last two homework assignments. Hmmm, I thought to myself. 

So here I have made sure to ask him about his homework each day and he has confidently assured me he is doing it only to find out the contrary!  His teacher told me that they will have math homework everyday and that he should not be doing it in resource (our version of a study hall).  His teacher also shared that he verbally calculated what his grade would be having received a few 100s on some tests and quizzes combined with 0s on some homework assignments. 

I was on the phone when he first arrived home from school that day and to my surprise, when I came down the stairs, he was diligently doing his homework.  Before I could even spit out the words, “Guess who I talked to today…” he responded with “I know, I know.” 

I explained the new rules. He would have to come in directly after school and work on his homework – and not leave the house until we had gone over it together. If he didn’t do this he would not be allowed to go outside to play after dinner nor would there be any cell phone use until his homework was completed and checked by my husband or me each evening.  Pleasantly, there was no argument and his homework was done completely and correctly.  I also made sure to mention homework would not be done in resource either; that received an exasperated sigh… busted!

We’ll see how the rest of this marking period goes to see whether more changes need to be made.

As a parent, the most important thing we can do is:

• Communicate often with your teen so we know what’s going on at school
• Set firm boundaries, but be willing to be flexible if he demonstrates self-control and responsibility for heractions
• Check back in to make sure things are going along as you agreed upon.  Don’t assume one conversation will ensure your child is adhering to the boundaries; let her know you are paying attention.  Kids need to know their parents care and are willing to commit to the standards they put in place.

These are lifelong skills that will prepare kids for their journey to high school and later in college, too.
 

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  Posted by: Tara Paterson