By Antoinette Capri.
Do you get tired of asking your teen to clean their room? Or why the dishes are still in the sink? Or why they didn’t start dinner?
I Do.
I don’t want to wonder why things aren’t getting done… I just need for them to get done.
If we had time to find out why stuff didn’t get done… we could have done it ourselves; RIGHT?
Right.
So, listed below are some simple ways to help get your teenager get more focused and ready for life, college and relationships:
1. Keep a journal or planner.
If you have a teenager that is easily distracted by noise, people, movements, and electronics (tv, iPhone, iPad, DVD’s, music, etc… ) purchasing a day planner might be a solution. A day planner can hold all the information you need for school assignments; while holding side notes for household chores, shopping lists, and after school activities. Also, they can use it to schedule upcoming events that may happen at the last-minute, like a sleepover, parties and study sessions. Don’t worry about your teenager not using the planner. Studies show Stress is the one of the biggest issues for most teens in school today. Just pick a color,size & style that’s pleasing to them and you should notice some nice changes in the near future.
(Editor’s note: I purchased 2014 year planners for myself and my older teen who requested one at Barnes & Noble’s the first week of January. The calenders and planners were all 50% off. Even though we’re getting into the 3rd week of January the bookstores probably still have some planners left for sale–but I wouldn’t put it off any longer! By the way this is a great way to teach your teen the importance of planning and scheduling her life, including her goals, rather than just “going along with the flow.” Being at cause in your life rather than at the mercy of your circumstances.)
2. Request proof of homework.
Yes. That’s right. I said it. Check their homework. Did you know that homework is one of the determining factor in a pass/fail decision for a teacher? Well, it is. Think about this.
If your child has been to class, taken all their quizzes & tests, participated in group study, barely passing the class and fails to complete or turn in their homework; their teacher can decide to fail the student. Here’s why.
Your child is given homework to practice the material, get a feel for what they do and don’t understand and to ask the teacher for any help. If the child is paying attention in class, participating in classwork and completing all of their exams; they are indirectly saying they don’t have a problem with the course. So, when the teacher requests to see the homework and your child can’t provide it, how is the teacher suppose to grade your child? (We are also assuming that the teacher has warned the student throughout the entire marking period. Remember, this is high school we are talking about. When you are working, most information comes after there is already a problem and a good teacher has tried to work with the student as much as they can without getting you involved.) Think about it.
Plus, if your child doesn’t complete their homework on a consistent basis, they’re going to call you anyway, to come in for a meeting. So, to avoid any future phone calls, check the homework and make sure it’s complete.
On the flip side, your high schooler doesn’t like being monitored like a child, which makes them do the homework just to keep you off their back. (There is always a method to my madness.)
3. Put things back in their place.
I don’t know about your house, but it gets on my nerves when I go to get something from where it belongs and it’s not there. Especially when you know that no one is using it at the time and they just forgot to put it back where it belongs. And don’t let me have to go around the house searching for it. Oh No! That really gets my skirt in a twist, because instead of spending my precious time doing what I set out to do, I’m made to search for an item that I wouldn’t have had to search for if you just would have put it back where it belongs. So, set up a system or a consequence that helps your teenager remember to put things back in its proper place. For example, I deduct talk time on the phone if I find something out-of-place and my teenager was the last to have it.
Works like a Charm!
About the Author: Antoinette Capri is an emotional resilience life coach & inspirational speaker exploding with a passion to bring value and integrity to the lives of others. She is a business owner, former certified nurse assistant of 18 years and a trusted confidante to her friends and community.
Now that you’ve got your teenager handled, what about you? What life skills do you want to improve on? Get Stronger, wiser, more full of life. Click http://antoinettecapri.com/welcome/articles/how-to-improve-communication-skills-at-home-5-tips for more tips on creating a better you!
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