my sons are bright-but dont try! how do i encourage them?

[AMAZINWOMAN]

both of my sons are bright-but prefer to chat, work is done last minute and the least amount possible! Teacher reports just say that they could achieve their potential if they try harder

They do their homework independently and of their own backs-which is brilliant. they just dont do their best!

Motivation is everything. Is there a reward they would be willing to achieve certain goals for? Once you find out what they would be willing to work for (that you are willing to give them as a reward) you have your solution.

For example:

Excellent GCSE results earned a nintendo wii (is that how you spell it?) recently in our house. We saved up for ages to make sure we could buy it when the time came.

It is really important to keep promises, and small but regular rewards work best to begin with. And be consistent. Things like a game, tickets for something for example. Let the teacher in on the plan so that you get feedback and they get encouragement.

HTH

Encourage them. Talk to them about why it would be in their best interests to try. Be proud of their accomplishments and let them know it. Let them know that they are intelligent and can do it if they put their minds to it. That their success now is money in the bank for their future. After that it's up to them.

and a good job when they've done well at school.

There is nothing like a summer job on a building site to make them realise that it might be worth working for their Alevels

I'm not sure about that 3littlebats. Depends on the son. One of mine would love to work on a building site

Mine did enjoy it - and had more cash than he had ever had in his life - but after 8 weeks of it he was worn out and didn't fancy doing it for the rest of his life!