My soon to be 13 year old drives me crazy with his lack of interest in school ?

Candice - posted on 02/11/2010

I really thank you all for your advice and will try to find out how get his IQ tested because this isn't really a new issue for him it just seem to be getting worse . He started the year out with all A"s and then thing started to dwindle from there. This is his first year at this school and hasn't made any friends that are worthy of mentioning them at home, which for him is very odd. So I have taken the possibility of the change in environment into consideration and have stayed in close contact with his teacher. I I just don't want to seem too pushy and make him the laughing stock of his class because his "mommy" is always there.

Sandra - posted on 02/11/2010

i agree with Mary. When I was in school my brother often skipped classes and hated school. My parents couldnt figure it out, until he told me that it was just too easy and he knew everything they were learning, They had him tested and he went to a gifted school where he was actually challenged. I on the other hand was the complete opposite, school was HARD for me and i hated it, because the school did not help those who were falling behind. I wanted to do better, I just didnt know how. I later realized that everyone has their own way of learning, and I am a tactile learner (hands on) I could read a textbook until I was blue in the face, but it wouldnt help me, i needed to actually do the work hands on to understand. I had one teacher actually work with me (in chemistry grade 10) she understood my learning problem and when it came to exams, she had me do things hands on instead of write a huge test. I loved her for helping me
find out the problem, weather he is bored, overstimulated, needs a tutor, under challenged or whatever else might be the problem.

Gwendolyn - posted on 02/11/2010

Hang in there mom! There may be a reason he is not interested in school. Maybe there is a special girl he likes but is too scared to talk to her so he does not want to have to run into her at school. Maybe he is totally bored in his classes because he is not challenged. Maybe he does not see the importance or relevance of school to his life now or future. It is part of the teenager job description to drive parents crazy!! Try to find out where is mind is so you can figure out how to help him better connect.

Sara - posted on 02/11/2010

Don't let him drive you crazy. He is controlling you when you let him do that. Make sure you're taking care of yourself, and doing the things you need to do, and setting the good example. The best thing you can do is be calm, don't budge, and let him know it's because you love him and want the best for him. When my kids put up a big fuss, I remind them that I was chosen to be their mother, and I want what's best for them. It may be good to start giving him exposure to college campuses (just let him walk around), and showing him more of what it takes to get "a world class education". Visit the library and some businesses, and let him talk with people about their jobs, what studies they pursued, etc. Real world, hands on experience is best for boys!

Mary - posted on 02/11/2010

talk to his or her teacher find out how your child doing. maybe he bored with school. if you can your child IQ check. it may not a lack of inerest. you child school work my not be a challebging for them or may be to hard.

Marciann - posted on 02/11/2010

Candice my suggestions to you are to ask your child what he or she likes about their school and what they do not. then weigh the options, the likes should be greater, people in general do better at anything they have a natural liking and gift for. the way they teach at your child's school may not be the way your child may need to learn/ comprehends. sometimes it may be a teacher that the child does not connect with, also ensure that your child is not a victim of school billy's it's the greatest turn off from school and learning. If everything appears normal, some times it is just our child, they tend to grasp and take an interest in everything at their own pace and we basically have to wait, really!

If there are older siblings we tend to expect a carbon copy of the child's older siblings when in fact each of our children are as unique as each facet on a diamond and we must love even the diamond in the rough and wait for perfection to come on it's own! I have three kids, 20, 19 and 15. i had to learn that Ethan was not my older two children, I was driving myself crazy, but he bloomed in his own season and is holding his own. Just give love and encouragement, attend school activities! wish you all the best!