Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Alis girls]

Another Saturday morning spent with YS 10 (a reluctant scholar at the best of times) this week its the life cycle of a Dragonfly - lovely pic but no explanation of a time scale thingy at bottom. Conclusion reached was that YS had nodded off during explanation as had friend when we called her till mum (yes i have some uses ) had a lightbulb moment and worked it out. This weekend son is going for sleepover at friends so we have a blackmailing tool to bargain with. ES has always got on with it homework wise albeit with help. Please tell me we are not the only parents struggling to help our offspring with homework. At times I want to

[Janepie33]

Been there. Done that!

 

DS got on with his homework as soon as it was set and always handed it it in time. DD always left it to the last moment (the rows we had about it!!! ). The more I nagged, the less she would do. One lovely tutor at school was very reassuring during a parent / teacher consultation and suggested that DD's last minute rush was OK as it was just her learning style.

Things all changed when both offspring went to college and then uni to study subjects they really enjoyed and both of them had no problem handing in work on time.

 

The best advice I ever had about homework, was to make sure the children have a calm space to do it (and if they want to do it on their bed that's fine!) and just keep feeding and watering them!

 

Good luck. It does get better!

[Minnie&Moose]

Defintely been there, done it, and still there with DS - you have my sympathy! Homework hystrionics always reminds me what an impatient and intolerant person I really am

[snowberry]

I've found that I really have to stand back & let them do it themselves (or not!) as otherwise I take over & it's my work

[freddie]

How about 16yr old , with GCSE work and his teachers are ringing us up in despair, as he is so more than able, and so has not prepared

I'm now getting beyond the nagging bit, it's his life, although I will admit to reseaching various wierd artists this lunchtime, and leaving some info lying around for him to stumble across. I cannot help in any science, or math, or It, he's way beyond me

I keep telling myself they all turn out ok at the end.....

[Janepie33]

I keep telling myself they all turn out ok at the end.....

 

They do!!

[Duncan08]

I have to own up to doing my sons homework. If it's set on a Wednesday and has to be in for Thursday he just can't fit it in as he does regional training for water polo.

I have done it complete with spelling mistakes

Since recent parent teacher meeting I have explained and no longer "have" to complete it.

My son is a very poor reader, and an even worse writer.

Ask him about something and he can describe in great detail. Ask him to write it down and all you get is "the chicken was black"

His teacher reassures me he will catch up. I have also heard so many people tell me, boys especially take alit longer to shine in the academic world.

Mike is a physical lad, loves his sport, I can't see Him as an academic. They will be what they will be, kids are a gift but we don't own them.

We have a chance to teach them the difference between right and wrong and try and instill some of our own values in them, but ultimately they will make their own way, and we are not to blame for their failures, although we we always celebrate their triumphs as if they were our own

[lindafw]

Duncan 08 talk to the school. They should be able to give provision for word processed homework and even should you be able to prove the need for him to tell you his answers and you to type them for him! Has he been checked for dyslexia?? If not may I suggest you do...

 

I went undiagnosed for 30 plus years (I left school with 2 gcse's and only returned to college in my late 30's....did GCSE and A level before heading for Uni where someone commented and suggested dyslexia...gave me extra time in exams and no loss of marks for spelling errors!)

 

Boys at our school even get a scribe if their writing skills are poor (in an English writing exam they can use a computer without spell checker)and a reader to read the question (but not in an English reading exam)

[Alis girls]

I used to do L's homework till the teacher wrote a note saying he should be capable of doing it himself - oops rumbled now I dont as hes going to secondary school in Sept and will just have to get on with it

[..lay a little egg for me]

Homework with DS (nearly 13) is gradually getting better but it's slow progress. He is only willing to spend about 5 mins per subject. If he can't just sit down and start writing immediately, he's calling me to help. He wants me to dictate the answers, which I refuse because a) I need to think about them and most times have to do some research to find the answers, which is what he should be doing and b) he gets so cross with me if I can't give him the answer straight away. Most of his teachers say he should put in more detail, unsurprisingly!

 

We often have big rows about it. However, if he actually gives in and decides to spend an appropriate amount of time on the work he produces good stuff, which is why it is so frustrating for me.

 

I'm hoping the gradual improvement in attitude will have been enough by the time he starts GCSEs.

[The Dogmother]

It's that age I think Rosie is coming up 14 and has always been top of her year, on the G&T programme and done her homework on time (I check it has been done and test her on it every evening). Lately she has started to hand her homework in late, or missed the odd thing out and told me that it has been done. Luckily her school has an excellent tracking system and she has a very good form tutor who is as keen as me that she reaches her full potential.

 

We've had a chat and she's back on track now, but will call at my office on the way home every day after school to drop off her phone and ipod as they are proving too much of a distraction

[freddie]

what makes me laugh, is the time spent arguing could have done the work

Teenagers.....

[Alis girls]

If my son buckled down he;d make an excellent lawyer - he can argue for Britain. Alas hes lazy - I just hope he will get there in the end - your stories give me hope and make me laugh.

[lillybettybabs]

My eldest s-son is very bright and does his homework ok at the moment ( first girlfriend is on the scene) .

We have a lot of trouble with the youngest when he is with us as his mum basically does his homework

for him when he is at home. I don't think she is doing him any favors as he doesn't seem to know basic things.

 

Oh the arguments between OH and Youngest S-son are horrendous as he thinks OH is being mean by

making him do his homework on his own.

[freddie]

We keep saying DS shhould go into politics, as we never seem to get a straight answer

[chickencam]

ED has always been very consciencious DS is very lazy, but very able and YD is very easily distracted, can't hink who she gets that from

 

With DS we have tried making him do his home work downstairs in the lounge where it is quiet and many other strategies, but he has just had to find his own way. His sister has been a great role model and he has seen that her hard work has brought her success, he is lucky that he has a very good memory, so this aids his revision and to be fair to him every time he has taken an exam that has really meant something he has passed with flying colours. From a very young age he has need a good reason to do anything. He has had trouble with writing and his school had him assessed for dyslexia, he now uses a laptop for all exams except multiplechoice and maths and he also uses it for all of his everyday school work.He has also recently started reading books like they are going out of fashion, including some really serious novels and classics, so there is hope out there. He is nearly 16 and it has been a long road, I am hoping that he is peaking at just the right time for his GCSEs in the summer. Just give them the time, resources and encouragement and hopefully they will find their own way.