Child is bored and refuses to do school work.

Tara - posted on 09/22/2010

I have a 14 year old son as well. He doesn't "do" schooly stuff. lol
What he does do though is learn through doing. He is a survivalist and that requires a lot of learning.
He has learned how to purchase equipment at a discount. He has learned how to start fire in a variety of ways. He has learned how to construct a shelter. He has learned what plants can be eaten, how to set a snare, how to build traps, how to cure meat, how to cure a hide, how to sew etc. etc.
He also loves music. He taught himself how to play guitar in the last year using youtube tutorials, and he's awesome. I allow my son to be auto didactic, this ensures that what he learns will stay with him.
Education by compulsion will only equal rebellion.
:)

Sally - posted on 07/05/2010

Does he not want to do the work because he's a teenager seeing how far he can push or is it because he thinks he already knows it and is bored?
Give him the end of unit test. If he doesn't know the stuff, you have a better place to fight from. If he does, why make him waste time on busy work when you could skip ahead.
Another possiblility is to give him a list of what he needs to know and a deadline. If he can pass the tests by the deadline, he gets left alone. If not, he has to do it your way. Put any agreement in writing very clearly. Children are better than lawyers at twisting what you said. :)
He may also be hoping that you'll let him go back to school if he makes homeschooling hard enough for you. If that's his problem, your life is going to be hard until he realizes you mean to do this. Just keep reminding yourself that your are doing what is best for him and try not to let him see how much he gets to you.
Good luck

Angela - posted on 01/31/2010

Just a quick word of advice if you order your test from SETON HALL the tests (CAT) are very simple and inexpensive ($25.00). All my children are slower at learning and they all scored very well. No one has to view the tests, that is betwen you and your child. The testing is just a way of lettng you know where your child's strengths and weaknesses are. Don't stress it will all be ok!!

Dawn - posted on 01/30/2010

Thanks for the tips, this is the first year, and I am stressing about the test the state makes them take, and I want to make sure everything is ok, so maybe doing it that way will still give him the skills that he needs and still succeed.

Angela - posted on 01/30/2010

Hi! I live in Hiddenite,NC and I had the same issues with my 16 yr old daughter. It has gotten too the point where we've decided to let her go for her GED online, which I was dead set against, but I was tired of fighting about it and public school was out of the question. Now, my two boys, ages 13 and 11 are doing awesome. They are both very creative and enjoy the outdoors. In December we started a lesson on survival in times of crisis or in the wilderness. They've learned how to build campfires and cook outdoors and soforth. Some my not consider that educational, but I beg to differ. They are both learning while having fun.



You said your son likes four wheeling, have him keep a wildlife journal of the different type of animals he sees while out riding. Have him collect things of interest, or let him look at books with ATVs and do price comparisons. I let my boys watch things like Myth Busters and Survivalman,and Wildlife shows. You'd be amazed at what he'll pick up. The whole joy of homeschooling is being free to learn at your own pace and with different techniques. We do more on-hand things than actual bookwork. I wish you much luck!!