[happymomof4]

Bernice, I went thru the same thing with my younger son when he was in 6th grade. He didn't like his teacher which didn't help. He lied and cheated. I went to school conferences and phone conferences. Finally in April I went to a school conference with both his teachers and the guidance counselor. I think maybe his special reading teacher was there also. I went over somethings with all of them. I left the school with my son. I pulled over and looked him right in the eyes. I said to him if your don't like your teach and you don't like 6th grade. Then why do you want to be in 6th grade again? You might even get the same teach again if you fail. Even I know he would never have got the same teach as he had. He looked back at me and a light bulb went off. He turned and said oh yeah. I never thought of that. So I looked at him and said I don't care if you get all D's. But lets get the heck out of 6th grade. He passed. I think he got c's and d's but who cared. That was a terrible year.

I don't know were I even got the idea of talking to him like that but it worked. I have always been very out and truthful with my kids. I don't of course tell them everything. But my kids do come to me with alot. I know they don't tell me everything. I really don't want to know everything either. As long as they are safe and don't get in trouble. I believe kids should be able to be kids.


Bernice here is an idea that we did for my older son in high school. He didn't do his homework very well. Every Friday the teachers would fax me a paper with what homework he had during the week and what he didn't do. The would also list the things coming up for the followint week(homework, pojects, test,etc). Of course this was a long time ago he is now 26 and has children of his own.

I know our high school and middle school have a website that the parents and students can go up and check out there grades. The parents can email the teachers and get home work assigments. I don't look at this much with the girls becuase I don't have the problems with them like I did with the boys. But it is there if I need it.

I hope things get better for you and your son. Remember you are not alone. Many people go thru this with there kids.