"In the first weeks of term, your child may need some help to organise themselves" - what if they refuse help point blank?

[brassick]

DD2 is starting secondary tomorrow (gulp!) and as dd1 has been there 2 years already, I know more or less what to expect.

Dd1 is naturally organised and studious, and hasn't needed too much help to stay on track. Dd2 however, is completely different, and I feel she could do with some input from me & dh to keep her on the right path.

However, she violently resists any intervention. I have tried to keep it low key, and to catch her at the right moment, and am resigned to some rows, and a lot of time being dedicated to her over the next few weeks, but wondered if anyone had any wise words on how to help her without her feeling like I am "being annoying" (which I am apparently a past master at!)

Another update...had a phonecall from dd2 on the bus this morning. She had forgotten her Geography homework - she swapped bags during the week, & left the homework sheet in the one she isn't using. I found the homework sheet, so I know that she had actually done the homework...

Coincidentally, I am friendly with her Geography teacher, so dd thought I could call her & explain what had happened. Of course I soon put her straight on that. I told her she would have to explain for herself & accept the consequences (which I don't imagine will be too harsh at this point in the school year-didn't tell her that though!)

I said to dd that this is all part of what we talked about when we discussed making sure she is organised before she goes to bed. She said "we've never talked about that...". I managed not to scream.

She was also finishing some other homework off at 6 this morning, I didn't comment, as she was already grumpy about it, but will be having a little chat with her tonight...