My dd loves a routine and thrives with a set routine everyday. Even now, she is 19 at uni, she has a schedule even for weekends. She thrives on it. It helps her stay motivated.
Ds (12) doesn’t he needs at least one every two weeks that are down days. They are usually spent doing an extra long dog walk, in the garden. Visiting grandparents. Might go out for lunch. Or a morning out at a park or something. Or he may ask to do something depending on how he feels and if we can, we do. These days aren’t spent lounging watching screens. But having pre booked obligations and never having a day where we get up and say ‘let’s go do this fun thing’, just doesn’t work for him.
If we are at home he still loves his Lego, we might watch a movie together (we usually do this one weekend night anyway) or play a board game or cool together.
Thats why I asked the question. Because once I realised this and didn’t have plans for every single day, he became more motivated. I never need to chase him for a homework deadline, he is always organised and has what he needs for school, enjoys being outside, helps care for the dogs without being asked. It’s almost like his brain needs a day with no obligations and that gives him the room to be much better with his obligations in general.
I don’t limit screen time. He often got too much screen time in lock down, as I wfh and was a single parent. He actually got bored with screen times and doesn’t really go on his tablet of phone that much. No point having a limit now, as he wouldn’t reach it.
What subject is your child behind on? And is it really that bad? Your children are still young.
Also remember, that many of the ‘motivated’ kids you are, probably moan behind closed doors too. Their parents just wouldn’t admit it.