 |
|
|
Kids Have a Bad Attitude About Homeschooling?What to do when they don't want to learn at home.How do I deal with my children who have a "bad attitude" about homeschooling? Question from an HBD reader: I am a 3rd year homeschooler of an 8yr old (she's in 3rd grade) and a 10 yr old (he's in 5th grade). Both of my kids have had a taste of public school, so they know what I mean when I say..."We are homeschoolers, we don't do that!" The reason I am writing today, is that I am just starting another year, and I am already frustrated! What can I do to have my kids take me more seriously, actually; take their work more seriously to be more specific. I have for them, what I consider a mild but effective curriculum assortment, ALL THE MUCH NEEDED STUFF...MATH, SPELLING, GRAMMAR, CURSIVE PRACTICE, and this year I felt in necessary to study the US States (focusing on a state a week). All in all not overwhelming, but not easy either.I can't seem to find that much needed tool that I can use to get them to just get it done and stop complaining, whining, fighting with each other and fighting me tooth and nail. I am currently using the dollar-a-day program, where I tried to put a huge emphasis on schooling being "THEIR JOB" and much like a real life worker, they get paid for a job well done. So I set each of them up with a bank account on kidssave.com and pay them their dollar a day based on their performance, well, that worked all of about 3 days. They have gone back to lack of performance and enthusiasm. We have outside extra-curricula activities twice a week and three times a week twice a month, so I know it's not the lack of socialization. I need help in the creativity department, I have tried pretty much everything I can think of to help them feel like they actually have it made compared to public schooled kids, and I am in dire need of some outside help. Any advise on how to kick start my kids (and me too) would be much appreciated!
 My answer (in 2009): Bad attitudes are no fun! My children are 9 and 11. They have also had a taste of ps. I learned that comparing homeschool to public school all the time to them wasn't effective, it almost made it worse. It's like it reminds them of how little was expected of them there and how much more you expect of them at home. Think about it, you check EVERYTHING they do at home - when did that ever happen at school? You have high standards for attitude and behavior - at school as long as they weren't acting out, a bad attitude didn't matter much. You know they have it made and sure, if they are diligent, they can get their work done in less than 6 hours and have more time to goof off, but for some reason kids that age have a hard time understanding that! I found that taking away the extra curriculars when they don't finish or have a bad attitude is most effective. In addition, if it's an extra curricular that I've paid in advance for, they have to reimburse me for the cost of that lesson. (They earn an allowance of $5 per week, and can earn up to $20 per month extra from helping me deep clean the house 2ce per month- and they have to work HARD!) If it is something like 4H, where the other child is also involved (and I'm the leader so I have to go) the offending child must remain in the hall while we have fun inside with her friends - finishing work quickly or a sudden change of that bad attitude right before leaving time or on the way to the venue (if the other child is going) does not change the consequence once it has been levied. Also, any unfinished work for the week gets carried over to the weekend. While the one who is finished gets to go to breakfast with dad, the other stays home with me to finish. This is not any easy thing to do, especially the first time, and it is important to be matter of fact (not emotional) about the consequence for a bad attitude, but believe me...it has worked wonders for my kids. They have learned that it's not me that causes the consequences. I just set them. I also try to compliment them alot when they display the expected behavior, or I'll say, "Aren't you glad you finished all your work so you can go to this..." We also do a homeschool 4H project each year that requires us to go into the schools and do a short presentation. Being back in a school setting really brings out a spirit of appreciation in my kids for homeschool. Best wishes for turning that bad attitude around! Leave the Bad Attitude About Homeschooling page and return to the HBD Home page |
Related Articlesa href="http://www.homeschool-by-design.com/disadvantages-of-homeschooling.html">Disadvantages of HomeschoolingHomeschooling Benefits Pros and Cons Sign up for HBD's
|
|
|
Enjoy This Site?
Then why not use the buttons below, to add us to your favorite bookmark, social web, or RSS feed service? |
||
|
The content
on Homeschool By Design is for informational purposes only. Use what makes
sense to you and ignore the rest. The information here should not be a substitute for professional medical advice or counseling. Click privacy policy link below for full disclosure. Homeschool by Design on Facebook |
||
|
| ||
