[Fischer_76_911S]

Lots of great advice which goes to show you that there is no single answer that works for every kid. I personally hated HS and felt it was like prison wasting my time. Up until then I was a straight A student. My grades definitely slipped and I didn’t care. My parents tried everything, and I still didn’t care.

It wasn’t until I saw the college consular and he wrote down the schools I could possibly get into. I looked them up when I got home (pre-internet days) in a big book of college info and found that they were all “dismal” schools. I quick changed my tune, boosted all my grades, retook the SAT and ACT’s and succeeded from then on.

I have two kids, one was a breeze and sailed through life with nothing but A’s. Takes after her mom. My son, 17 now, is just as smart, if not smarter, and hates HS. We tried everything too. I even had police officer friends of mine talk to him. I finally declared that I was just “done,” and would no longer check his grades and homework, nor micro manage him. I did promise that he is now 100% in charge of his life and if he screws it up I would buy him a suitcase for his 18th birthday and he could pack his **** and leave.

I gave him a piece of paper, folded it long ways, and told him to write down where he sees himself in 5 years on one side, 10 years on the other. Told him to think about it overnight. I wanted job, housing, cars, toys, marriage status, etc. All of it.

The next day he handed it to me and thank God he didn’t write homeless crack addict. He had really insightful and meaningful answers. I was ecstatic. I then simply asked how was he going to get here?

He is now 17 in dual enrollment and will graduate HS with an associates degree at the local college. He is doing great and my wife and I are very proud. He loves college and only plays sports at his HS. He feels HS was just a waste of his time with a bunch of busy work.

Hope our answers are helping. Good luck. Parenting is very difficult at times but also very rewarding and worth every effort.

Lastly, tell your kids you love them several times a day and mean it. We’ve both have said how we don’t like their behavior at times, but always love them.