What is the best way to get our teenager focused on school and responsibilites?

areno: What is the best way to get our teenager focused on school and responsibilites?
I have a teenager that always has failing grades on their 3 wk. progress report and is satisfied with making C’s on their report card. While I know they are capable of much better, they just can’t seem to focus, and think I am too strict when their friends are doing the same thing and they don’t get into trouble. How do I get through to them?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Kiwi
All kids think that their parents are to strict. If you really want to get through to them then start grounding them. Take away the TV, or don’t let them go out with friends. Remind them that you are the parent and it’s your job to see that they do the best that they can do in life. Be prepared for lots of yelling and resistance. But don’t back down, let them know that you mean business. Tell them that they will be rewarded for good grades. Pay them a certain amount for A’s & B’s, or some other reward that they will enjoy.

Answer by helper
my advice? ask them to try a little harder. reward them for doing so. tell them that if they work really hard and still get a C, its ok, they did their best.
hope it works out
helper

Answer by jackbauer2drescu
As a teen myself I feel once I saw that I could do any thing I wanted and saw a vision for my life, I have started doing much better to try and acheive goals that I need to get to that place in my life. I found out that life is what I make it. So maybe if he finds what he wants in life (even just to be happy) he will realize what he needs to do to achieve it. But he does need to see whats in it for him, and thats a better life, however he wants it.

Answer by the_all_knowing_maniac
1. Once they’re flipping burgers at your local burger joint it’ll hit them.
2. Get someone to video tape them around for a while at school. It’ll show them how they look and respond to things like bad grades and poor classroom behaivior.

Answer by 私は涼しい
kick them out the house. it worked for me 10 years ago.

Answer by deadlysharkww
I say to ban them from AIM,MTV, Porn, iPods,ITunes, and everything else until he gets good grades!

Answer by Angela W
When I was a teenager my parents would not let me do fun things like go out with friends or anything unleess my grade were A’s or B’s if your teenager wants to hang out with friends and have fun maybe she will try harder to keep thier grades up another thing my parents did was made me stay home during the week unless it had something to do with school and I had to study and do school work before I did anything else. It worked for me I hated my parents for it then. But I’m greatful now that I’m 24 with a baby and have a really good job.

Answer by dabbstergirl
PRAY! I have 2 grown daughters. Now that they have both seen the results of not trying as much as they could have, they regret not trying harder in school. Since graduating high school, they have both applied more effort and done great in college!

Keep encouraging your teen! As awful as those progress reports and C’s on report cards seem… things could be worse! My girls know what I always say “I don’t care what others do, they aren’t my son or daughter”! Remind your teen that those school records follow you into adult life!

Answer by wayneehinds
Video tape them and another role model student tell them you are not trying to pressure them but want them to decide how they want to be because you will not pay for any of their bills or let them stay in the house after they graduate or if they drop out.

Answer by NICOLE B
dont push them they are probally makin these grades to make u mad

Answer by Dark Angel
Make your teen think that they’re getting good grades and being responsible as a favor to you. Tell them things like “If your report card comes out better there’s something in it for you.” Give him/her little gifts, and take them places where you can bond. Just don’t smother them. Don’t worry. With time, they’ll realize that education and responsibilities are good for them.
Best of luck!