7Th Grader and Falling Grades

A teenager is not going to think the way you would expect them to think. He is probably going through some stage of the begining of puberty which makes it worse. I wonder if you took so much away he is thinking "why bother". Maybe he needs more of a strict schedule. When he gets home he has to do X amount of homework then he gets X amount of video games. If video games are not completely forbidden, he will not need to lie to use them. And he is a teeneager, he will use them with or without your permission. I agree that for awhile the teachers need to be involved in making sure you know what the homework is, most are pretty good with that stuff. You will not be the first to make that request. After awhile he may start doing it on his own just to avoid you talking to his teachers.

As far as the girl. I think at this age all "dating" type situations should be adult monitored. And my daughter is required to put her cell phone out of her room after 8pm. If she forgets she loses if for a couple of days. That way she is not up all night texting.

GOOD LUCK....remember, God made teenagers so that we are not so sad when they move out of the house some day!!!!!

My son is in 7th grade too. He talks to girls and plays football. I still talk to him EVERYDAY. I ask him what he did in school, what he ate for lunch, and other questions.

I sit down w/him and WE study for tests. I feel like it is important for the two of us to work together sometimes. Maybe you should try to do that too! Not saying you don't already. It is just helps you spend one on one time w/your son (you can "x" the word "step" out of the conversation).

As you said he is a part of your family. So try to be open and show him you care by sitting down w/him.

Good luck to you and your family!

E.

I have survived two different children (boys) going through 7th grade. I have been quoted as saying that 7th grade boys are the nastiest animals on the planet.......but some are nastier than others.

Hopefully it will pass. middle school is tough for most people, but everyone is different. Generally if you had a great kid up to about the age of 9, they will come back to you. But if you take away EVERYTHING he loves then you aren't giving him much motivation. I believe in consequences, but if they are too harsh the child will give up and butt his head against yours even harder. You could create a much bigger problem than what you have now. Don't try to over control him, just try to keep him on track. Give him some room, and let go of some of your control while staying involved. You have probably seen this advice before, but go buy the Love and Logic books by Jim Fay and Foster Cline.
Consider offering rewards, rather than taking everything away. Good Luck!

It sounds like you need to get some assistance from his teachers. Find out what his assignments are and when they are due. Have him sit at the dining room table for homework and monitor him until it is done. He won't like this, but his behavior is asking for it. If he wants to act like a baby, treat him like one. No, this won't be fun for you, but he'll get his work done and his grades will come up. I bet his teachers would be more than happy to help, but you need to meet with them to make the request.

Good luck!

I went to a Parent Teacher Conference and began daily communication with the teachers. When I picked him up at school every day, if he did not have all of his books for the homework that I already knew he had (from his teachers), we walked back into the school and got them. That only happened once.

If this is your stepson, I'd have my husband do it were I you. It's his place, and his job.

S.