Here we go again

Alto2 and I share something we wish we did not. A child who avoids homework like the plague. An email arrived from Sportsboy’s teacher yesterday. He is  behind (again) on assignments in every subject except math.  You know, when I worked the drop off line yesterday I did notice a few 6th grade girls stepping out of their cars holding what looked like a home made game board. Yep, that’s what it was alright. Part of their reading class assignment for this period was to create a game board relating to the book they chose to read. It was due yesterday. SB completed his last night so it was turned in a day late. Which is pretty good for him apparently! Since this is now his 2nd offense on the non-completion of homework, I immediately revoked all electronic privileges (and his dad will too for next week). He spent 2 hours last night completing everything that was missing. When he took out his assigned reading book, I noticed he was only into about chapter 3!! Pathetic! He’s had this book for well over a month. I told him that I expect him to finish it this weekend. I also emailed the teacher and asked her to assign extra work for him over the winter break. He’s taken enough ‘breaks’ already!!! I’ve got an alarm set on my phone now for every weekday to check his homework. I had one set last night to go off just as he was getting in the car after baseball practice. I showed it to him and he looked at me and just nodded. I quietly told him about the email, that electronics were gone, and that I was very disappointed in his lack of complete honesty. In fact, I was pretty quiet all night. No yelling or lecturing. He responded in kind and made no objections or excuses and just got to work. He did try asking for help, but I just matter-of-factly told him it was his work, not mine, that I would be happy to check it after, but he needed to do it.  Over the winter break, I will allow him two hours of electronics time per day (that’s a combination of tv and games) and then let him earn more through completion of reading and assignments that the teachers will provide. He’s going to have plenty of fun with his dad’s family in town from Sweden for the wedding so it wont be misery, but it also wont be a total mental break. Somehow we have got to get it into his head that schoolwork comes first. And yes, I will pull him from sports. Little League will be starting up after the new year – MAYBE! Grrrrrrrr.