It Never Hurts to Ask

In the battle over homework, no one wins. I know I said a few weeks ago that Ian would have to suffer the consequences of not finishing his homework. But there is also a valuable lesson to be learned in completing a task you aren't crazy about because you know ultimately there is a benefit. Ian doesn't buy that logic. Neither do most kids. But when he fails to complete his classroom work and it is sent home in addition to the regular homework assignment, then there is a problem.

He keeps saying, "I'm bored in school. I already know how to do this." He does master things easily. If his social skills were on target, I would have him tested to move ahead a grade. But being with older kids is not in his best interest. He has to learn to pay attention to what is going on in class, even if he doesn't find it to be particularly interesting.

He keeps saying, "I am having trouble concentrating in class". Now, that's a problem I can work with. Adjust medications, talk to the teachers about his schedule at school, put him to bed earlier - these are things I can do.

He keeps saying, "I'll do the reading, but I am NOT going to do the writing". Yes, writing is difficult for him. He can do it with much effort, but it really wears him out. Writing, it turns out, is always the source of homework frustration. So, yesterday I asked one of Ian's teachers if he could do his homework on the computer. She said because he has plenty of writing time at school, that would be fine.

COOL!!!

We tried it when Ian came home from school. He was thrilled at the chance to use the computer for something new. I got him started in a Word document. Then he proudly told me to go away and let him do it himself. Can't argue with that. An hour later he was still plugging away, one key at a time. And then. . .he exited. . .without saving. . .because I forgot to show him how :(

It was gone. The entire assignment. He had been so proud of his work, and it disappeared forever with one quick mouse click. Steve, Ian, and I all felt ourselves fall about 50 feet underground.

I offered to retype it for him in the morning during breakfast. As the crazy morning routine got underway, I realized that was not going to happen, so I wrote out the answers for him as he dictated them to me. For the first time all year, the writing assignment was completed with enthusiasm. It's amazing what a little maple syrup over waffles and homework will do for an attitude problem. I hope his teacher doesn't mind a sticky page.