Any suggestions on how to get an 8 yr old boy (yr 3) about to go to middle school to take more responsibility for himself and his homework, and generally grow up and act his age.
Try to really convey to him the importance of education, when you go places and recieve services tell him, this person probabbly didnt do well in school thats why they drive this or that car or why they work here, (ex. fast food)....it sounds a little materialistic but I did it with my daughter, just to let her know why/how educations is the main factor in homes, neighborhoods, cars, etc.
Im not suggesting that you teach your child that happiness is gound in money...but it seems to me that kids today, need more of a visual than just telling them education is important.
I think I understand what Oh mommy! is saying- that your son needs to know that there really are long-term consequences of not completing work or taking no responsibility at school. I'm sure his teachers have been drilling these ideas into him, but he needs to see that what is being said is more than just a few words- it is very real. Perhaps you could come up with a hypothetical story to tell him alongside Oh mommy's idea of physically showing him what he can lose. I think Oh mommy! has hit the nail spot on- your son needs to know the reality behind his choices.
Good luck!
One method I've used to good effect with children I've worked with is the points system.
Your son will need a small notebook, which he can decorate with a theme of his choice (space, pirates, etc.) You can then reward him with points for good behaviour, and remove points for bad behaviour.
Make sure to specify a treat at a certain number of points earned (100, for example), and stick to it.
While the points system is similar to reward charts, the advantage is that you can carry the notebook everywhere with you, so that he can see points being added or subtracted there and then, as a direct result of his benhaviour - and not hours later back at home, when the situation may have changed.
Plus, allowing him to theme his own book will give him something to work for (e.g. for a pirate theme - have him earn 'gold coins' instead of points; or collect meteors in a space theme.)
