I need suggestions or advice. My son is in 8th grade , ever since he started Middle School it has been a struggle gettting him to turn in his assignments. I have hired tutors, grounded him from friends/computer/videogames for bad report cards, I have praised him for the work that he has done well. I don't know what else to do, He has been tested for ADD and been found not to have it. So now what? Anyone else going or gone through this , if so what did you do to correct the situation?

Hi KAte
I've had the same problems with children who live in foster care at my home.The son I have is 14 also in middle school-he has a folder that I have to sign-each time, he has to show me finished work before I sign it. I have also removed his "fun Stuff" from his room until he's had a steady month of positive school work-BEDTIME IS IMPORTANT-no later than nine o'clock-and lights out-AND doing schoolwork-HAS TO BE DONE AS SOON AS HE GETS HOME FROM SCHOOL-this way he doesn't fall into the trap of "relaxing" and then losing any motivation to do it later. After A while it will become a habit. And Kate, it won't hurt to ask him unless you have, if he's getting pressure from other kids to do things he really doesn't want to do. He'll get annoyed, maybe at that, but he'll know u care. Hope this helps

Hi, Kate. My son is in 8th grade, too, and his work habits have changed. He doesn't seem to care about getting homework done like he used to. I too am struggling with the best way to address this issue. What makes it difficult is that he feels it's his business, and that he's old enough to handle this on his own. And, to an extent, I agree with him! More and more often, he will have to live with the consequences of his own actions and I don't want to interfere with his process of experiencing natural consequences. I have decided to deal with it this way - I set limits ("All homework must be attempted. A zero for not turning in an assignment is not acceptable.") He doesn't want to be nagged about his work, and I need to respect that. But, when the report card comes, if it becomes clear that homework hasn't been handed in, he is aware that there will be a consequence and of what that consequence is. Anyway, it's all whole new ballgame parenting a teenager. Knowing when to hold on and when to let go is not always easy. There are no cut and dried rules that work.
Good luck. It's nice to meet another parent of a teenager!