READY FOR SUCCESS
Helping Kids stay motivated with their schoolwork
Ihate this time of the year. To me this is the season in which my gray hairs turn an eventual glossy white, when the deepening furrow on my forehead caves in a little further, etched in frustration and when I feel deeply and strongly that I am failing “oh so brilliantly” in this complex game of parenting. This is the time of the year when my children sit for their final term exams, and of course no one is in the mood to study! This is indeed a trying time for every parent far and wide, united in frustrated solidarity we must find a solution to this gray haired turning, wrinkle inducing problem.
If I were to come across a shiny brass magic lamp, my first and foremost wish to the purple genie, would be “I wish for children who are studious! I wish for children who are motivated to study on their own. I wish for children to make their own study plans, gather their own notes and revise by themselves”. Oh what parental bliss! But the staunch absoluteness of reality is that similar to the nonexistence of any shiny magic lamp accompanied by a wish granting genie, is the nonexistence of that much loved studious, dedicated child. Of course I hope, and there ARE those blessed parents whose children indeed are the exception to the norm. They are studious, dedicated and the perfect academicians. This little profile is completely lost on my children in particular, they would rather do anything and everything else rather than
crack open a book. What can be said? what can be done? Usually threats and ultimatums have been my weapons of choice. But these are not pleasantly received and nor do I enjoy blowing a gasket and deepening my ever continuous frown line. So here are some time tested suggestions to get children on board.
If your child consistently shows a disinterest in learning, then firstly exclude other problems, vision issues or troubles in class etc. You might even have to confer with teachers and reason out why your child shows no interest. Children hold a unique curiosity about the life around them. As parents, we should strive to show them how much fun learning can be