I have been struggling for years with my now 7th grader to help him improve his grades and interest in school. He has always put forth the least amount of effort possible to just barely squeak by year after year. This past quarter I decided to try something I had never tried before. I bought him a new phone, and told him he could have the phone at whatever point in the future he brings home a report card with all A’s and B’s. I locked the phone in the family safe, and stood my ground. I was not ever going to let him have that phone until he brought home a report card with all A’s and B’s. Well, let me tell you, I have never seen this child work so hard in school in his entire school career! He kicked everything in high gear related to school and was wholeheartedly committed to getting good grades. And, guess what, he did it! He brought home a report card with 4 A’s and 1 B. I thought I was going to cry! I am one happy mom!
This school year he has a tutor, and no outside extracurricular activities which I know does help. There was the biggest shift in his effort though when I told him that he had something to work towards. It was like the light at the end of the tunnel that made all the hard work required in school really matter to him. And, it was his choice to work for it or not.
If you have a strong-willed child who needs more motivation than the average student, try purchasing something you know he or she would love, and tell them they can have it when they meet a certain goal. I hope this strategy will help you in your family as much as it helped me!