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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

How to get teenager to bother with school?

2 replies

Sbj10 · 13/06/2023 20:47

Long story short she isn’t particularly academically inclined, has no real interest for learning or any of her subjects, no aspirations, no hobbies or extracurriculars, isn’t particularly bothered about getting good grades and overall has a really poor attitude to school. She’s your typical teenager who thinks TikTok and Snapchat are the most important things in life.
her school has offered extra lessons and even discounted tutoring sessions, which she rarely ever attends. Her behaviour has gotten significantly worse with frequent behaviour logs and detentions. she’s just sat her end of year exams and spent probably less than 30 minutes studying for the whole thing. current grades are bang on target for her, she is on the lower side of her year but nothing too concerning as of yet, but she is about to start her GCSE’s so the lack of effort is becoming a worry as they’re a big step up from KS3.

we’ve tried everything from gentle encouragement and small goals like revising for just 20 minutes a day, taking her phone, grounding her, trying to explain the consequences of not doing well in school and the importance of trying your best and setting good habits that will help her later in life, we’ve arranged extra classes in school, other family have offered help with homework and nothing works! With the lack of concern for her school work, as well as no hobbies to pursue and no real aspirations in life we’re getting pretty worried for her future. We don’t expect her to bury her head in a book and get all A’s by any means but just to show some understanding of how important getting an education is!

OP posts:
Dacadactyl · 13/06/2023 20:58

I'd put in boundaries with tech tbh. So no Snapchat or tiktok or insta. Limited time on the phone. Let her feel bored so that she may decide to do some extra curricular stuff to alleviate boredom.

Is there anything she'd like to try out as a hobby? Maybe something the 2 of you could do together?

Also, maybe approach the school for some advice. Is the school a good school and do they have strict rules and high targets for children?

Needmorelego · 13/06/2023 21:06

What does she actually watch on TikTok? Is it something that could spark an interest in a hobby which could in turn spark an interest in a future job or career.
My 15 year old is currently obsessed with musical theatre - including the music, songs, fashions, the make up, the actors, the history etc. This obsession came about through various things she watched on YouTube, TicTok etc.
She also watches a billion videos of people hand rearing kittens - another potential future job.

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