Monday 17 September 2012

Bringing up Boys: Failure to launch…


Contemplating anything other than homework

We’re in Year Two, the time where the learning through play years metamorphoses into serious learning.
Problem is how to get your independent free spirited boys to toe the line especially when it comes to homework. -the mere mention of which has me twitching and looking round desperately for an alcoholic prop.
We start of slowly enough with spellings. Things such as PLAY, DAY STAY, FRAY at the seams…no problem easy peasy that is until we have to write a sentence using the words.
Bog Boy says nah he doesn’t need to.
I leave it like that to see if he will change his mind once he gets his homework back from his teacher.
So I trundle into school for pick up expecting a very downcast little boy but he blithely tells me when I ask how his spelling test went that he didn’t get a sticker.
“Oh!” says I. “Why not?”
“Because I didn’t do them sentences.”
“Will you do the sentences this week then?”
“No.” He says, “I won’t!”
“Why not?”
“I don’t like stickers…”
We’re going to have an interesting year ahead…

8 comments:

Expat mum said...

As far as I'm concerned it's not just a parent's job to get the kids interested in homework. Having said that, I have always found that if you sit them somewhere where they feel "important" like a parent's desk, they sometimes get into it. Not promising anything though!

Rob-bear said...

If you don't like the reward, there can be considerably less motivation to do the work. Not a winning combination.

If he doesn't do his sentences, you could sentence him to a night with the dogs. Which wouldn't provide much compulsion to accomplish anything. He play with the dogs for about ten minutes, then be off into his own world in his mind. You may be lucky to get him (and his mind) back in tine for breakfast. (He is rather like our grandson in that regard.)

Jen Walshaw said...

I say Bah to homework. They should be learning it in school not at home. Home is for rest, eating and play!

Tattieweasle said...

Expat Mum - Good idea will try sitting him at my desk.
Rob Bear - I think I will try him on tired and tested rewards at home it is either that or to the dogs with him!
Jen Walshaw - wish it could be lik ethat but I suppose they are only trying to get thenm into teh habit for the really important exmas when they are 16!

Little Red Hen said...

I've been there with Boy. My only advice is to stock up on the wine :)

Tattieweasle said...

Little Red Head - stocked wine: check!!!!

janerowena said...

And the earplugs. Seriously. They moan for so long that it's best not to be able to hear them. A strict routine was the only way i got through it. It worked while he was young and I just hoped that the habit would be engrained. Although he slides at times he is far better than most of his friends, because he is used to having a timetable when he gets home.

Tattieweasle said...

janerownea - you're right a routine and stick to it will be far better in the end...earplugs it is!

Go on you know you want to...

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