My son gets punished because there are rules that he must abide by, not because he’s smart. Forging notes, calling the teacher stupid: this is behavior that I want him to understand is not acceptable.
However, after reading alot of these posts, I see that leaving him with nothing to do will not solve his problems (although his PlayStation days are OVER until he can do his homework first).
What he wants to do is take martial arts lessons. Oh God, I can see him and his sister fighting now!
Sci-fi, fantasy, mapmaking, these are things he likes. I wonder if there is a D&D group around here that’ll accept a 12 year old.
This seems to be becoming a forum for hidden gloating. Just to cut you down to size: 1200 on the SAT’s? Not exactly amazing. Hell, even Zack Morris scored higher than that.
In and of itself, scoring 1200 isn’t amazing. However, when one takes into account that the actual statement was, “I scored 1200+ on the SATS despite drinking myself to a stupor the night before” it becomes a bit more impressive.
Most people do some studying, go to bed early, and then eat a good breakfast before taking the test. They tend not to, you know, drink themselves silly.
-Lanna
1200 Sucks… but it is above average, and given that I was hung over, didn’t study, and really didn’t even want to be there, it was a decent score. The point isn’t me gloating (hell, I got much better things to gloat about… I ever mention being undefeated in the 100 yrd dash 3 years in a row?(Yeah, so it was only Jr High Track)), the point is I could have kicked ass at all that but didn’t because I dind’t give a rip about anything that was too easy. Hence, I suggest things that will challenge. I didn’t respond to punishment… hance I suggest other methods of molding behavior.
As for punishments… okay, there are some things you need to punish. I’m all for taking away the playstation, or any other mindless entertainment… but leave the books. They’re good for him. Adding to chores might work too.
Martial arts will usually help with anger issues. Make sure he knows he’ll get thrashed if he uses it against his sister. If he’s interested in computers at all, make sure he has tools he can learn with. Web design tools… a programming language… how-to books. Give him the tools, he’ll likely teach himself.
Good points Madpoet. I guess I wasn’t the troublemaker type.
Martial Arts classes are a good idea, but you need to be comfortable with the school. You need to know what they are teaching. Just about every school will let you as a parent watch if you don’t want to participate yourself. You don’t have to all the time, but enough to know what’s being taught and why. Though he does need to understand it’s not appropriate to use on his sister.
“I wonder if there is a D&D group around here that’ll accept a 12 year old.”
LMAO - gee as I remember it the D&D groups were 12 year olds. That sounds like another great idea.