iamnotpetergriffin
New Member
Hi folks. I am happy to have found this forum and hope some of you experienced parents out there who have been through this can offer some sound advice.
My wife and I have two beautiful daughters. One is on the verge of turning 11, the other is 5.
When my oldest daughter was 9, she started having some difficulties in Math at school. She was given extra help and stayed around the "C" grade (she was a strict "A" and "B" student in all years prior). We didn't think much of this, I mean every kid is going to have peaks and valleys with their grades, but by the end of that grade 3 school year, her grades were lower as was her overall interest in doing well academically. At the time, we blamed it on her joining a popular safe-kids website called Club Penguin. So when grade 4 started, we began limiting her computer time on school days a bit so she could focus on her studies. Her grade 4 teacher was not very hands on, and we thought that was the problem with her lack of interest and her continual slipping in Math. Some concepts of math came easy, others were uphill. When I tried to help her at home, it was as if I was teaching her the match from square one and she was not even at school. Jump forward to this year and it's worse. Her teacher has been in touch with us several times about her not completing homework, not maintaining her planner, not being neat, overall you could say she has little care for school (though most of her grades are "B", math is now "D+".
The past few years she has also grown in her lack of cleaning her room, lack of simply listening to us as parents, lack of following simple instructions around the house. This has started to rub off on our 5 year old, and she's even becoming an old soul, much to mature for her age.
So what prompted me to write this on this particular day? Well, my 10 year old girl has a project that requires considerable work due in about 10 days. Without my coaching, she makes no progress in working on it. She acts like she doesn't care. At all. So after talking nicely and explaining the benefits of an education for the 1000th time, I told her she was banned from using the computer until her assignment was complete. I'm here to answer questions and listen to her thoughts on the project, but I can't do it for her and I can't be her shadow constantly.
So why haven't I seen the family doctor as her teacher has suggested? First, I will mention this at my next personal appointment with him, and second, she has NO problems following instructions if it's something she has interest in. She has NO problem organizing her ideas if it's an artwork or project she's interested in. She has NO problems doing research on-line if it's something she's intersted in, like Webkinz or Twilight. Basically, whatever has her interest, she can focus on with no problem.
I think she's playing my wife and I. I think we've spoiled her out of love, but have we somehow missed something? She's a very considerate child at school, wouldn't pick on someone if she was paid to, has many friends, has really no social problems with getting along with anyone.
But this lack of listening to Mom and Dad and her being upset and angry over homework is getting very frustrating.
If anyone has been through this or can offer insight, suggestions, or has any questions for me that may help, please dont' hesitate to respond, I would really appreciate it. And so would my wife!
Thanks for your time.....
My wife and I have two beautiful daughters. One is on the verge of turning 11, the other is 5.
When my oldest daughter was 9, she started having some difficulties in Math at school. She was given extra help and stayed around the "C" grade (she was a strict "A" and "B" student in all years prior). We didn't think much of this, I mean every kid is going to have peaks and valleys with their grades, but by the end of that grade 3 school year, her grades were lower as was her overall interest in doing well academically. At the time, we blamed it on her joining a popular safe-kids website called Club Penguin. So when grade 4 started, we began limiting her computer time on school days a bit so she could focus on her studies. Her grade 4 teacher was not very hands on, and we thought that was the problem with her lack of interest and her continual slipping in Math. Some concepts of math came easy, others were uphill. When I tried to help her at home, it was as if I was teaching her the match from square one and she was not even at school. Jump forward to this year and it's worse. Her teacher has been in touch with us several times about her not completing homework, not maintaining her planner, not being neat, overall you could say she has little care for school (though most of her grades are "B", math is now "D+".
The past few years she has also grown in her lack of cleaning her room, lack of simply listening to us as parents, lack of following simple instructions around the house. This has started to rub off on our 5 year old, and she's even becoming an old soul, much to mature for her age.
So what prompted me to write this on this particular day? Well, my 10 year old girl has a project that requires considerable work due in about 10 days. Without my coaching, she makes no progress in working on it. She acts like she doesn't care. At all. So after talking nicely and explaining the benefits of an education for the 1000th time, I told her she was banned from using the computer until her assignment was complete. I'm here to answer questions and listen to her thoughts on the project, but I can't do it for her and I can't be her shadow constantly.
So why haven't I seen the family doctor as her teacher has suggested? First, I will mention this at my next personal appointment with him, and second, she has NO problems following instructions if it's something she has interest in. She has NO problem organizing her ideas if it's an artwork or project she's interested in. She has NO problems doing research on-line if it's something she's intersted in, like Webkinz or Twilight. Basically, whatever has her interest, she can focus on with no problem.
I think she's playing my wife and I. I think we've spoiled her out of love, but have we somehow missed something? She's a very considerate child at school, wouldn't pick on someone if she was paid to, has many friends, has really no social problems with getting along with anyone.
But this lack of listening to Mom and Dad and her being upset and angry over homework is getting very frustrating.
If anyone has been through this or can offer insight, suggestions, or has any questions for me that may help, please dont' hesitate to respond, I would really appreciate it. And so would my wife!
Thanks for your time.....