The things they say

[lougle]

DD2 felt unwell today and didn't want to go to school. I said 'but you've got so much learning to do'.

In the car, she said

"Mum, why does my t-shirt say 'Learning together' when I Don't. Want. To. Learn.??"

She sees learning something to be avoided, that isn't rewarding for her. Poor thing.

How can you make it more rewarding? How can you make it something she looks forward to? Can you explain it in terms of 'getting better at things' or 'being able to do things that are fun?'.

Can you show her how her current favourite activity wouldn't be possible for her to do if she hadn't learnt certain skills and practised them?

Can you play a game on the way to or from school talking about what she is being taught and where it could lead.

The odd thing, star, is that she loves learning. She always tells me that she loves the 'learning bit of school'. I think it was her way of saying that today, she didn't want to go to school.

But, your ideas are useful - I can use those

Oh I see. A bit like when I am attempting very badly to bribe ds to go out 'but we'll get you a cake on the way back'.

And he response 'I hate cakes!'

Yes - by pointing out something they love, we have backed our children into a corner. The only way out of that corner is to turn their back on their heart's desires for the greater cause....or somesuch psychobabble