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Public embarrassment can be a decent motivator. My son has very few rules. One of them is that Cs are unacceptable and computer goes bye-bye when that happens. The other is that as long as he lives in my house he must study an instrument. He's in his Jr year in HS so this year really counts. Last year was pretty so-so with a C or two. Over the summer I sat down and had him take a piece of paper and calculate what it takes to live in LA, and what he likely would make at various jobs with and without a degree/experience. When he realized that an entire month pay at Starbucks wouldn't even pay half the rent on our house he started to get a little wattery eyed.
Earlier this month he went to college night at school. Got fired up about UC Santa Cruz and a few art schools. I sat down with him and asked him what his plan was to get into those places. He didn't have one. So we made one with contingencies. First report card - made the honor roll for the first time. Shock.
As for the public embarrassment, he has been studying piano for 5 years or so. His teacher has recitals twice a year. Spring recital he didn't really prepare his piece. He went down in flames. He actually stopped halfway and couldn't finish. Slinked off the stage and went out to the car to further meltdown in private. Was painful to watch.
Fast forward 6 months. Fall recital went a lot better. A stumble here and there, but no meltdown. Lesson learned
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