tried and tested methods to motivate teen son to do more than the bare minimum needed please..

[ggirl]

son is 14 in yr 9
I am dreading the following 2 years if this one is anything to go by.
School are concerned as well and we're going in to discuss.

Son is polite etc in school , but has a history of not asking for help from teachers ..not sure why..playing cool ?? shy??
He also is very reluctant to let us assist with his work ...has just gone off in a huff after we discussed ways to tackle this such as letting us help more with his set targets etc..you'd think I was making him walk naked in the streets ffs !

Anyone else have these issues??

There was a similar thread on here a few weeks ago where the consensus was that it's Year 9 itis.

Too old to want to impress the teachers but too young for it to matter to him.

My advice is bide your time and come down like a ton of bricks if it doesn't improve in y10.

ah thanks ..thats a bit of a relief

Here's the previous thread. Hope it proves true for your ds.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/teenagers/2842312-DD-almost-14-still-not-trying-at-school-any-advice

Why does he need extra help? Is he struggling or being lazy?

bit of both I think..his progress report shows he isn't making the expected progress in english , maths ,science

Talk to those teachers. Find out why. If he isn't working hard enough in class and for HW then issue consequences. If he's struggling then he needs extra help.

DD used to be afraid to ask the teachers for help because she is very shy and lacks self confidence. She is doing A levels now and has finally overcome her timidity about asking for help. She often seeks her teachers out during her free periods or at break just to ask for clarity. It is easier in 6th form because she isn't one of about 30 children needing attention.