* Help for the easily frustrated

It’s not fair!*

The easily frustrated

OShould begin homework with the easiest task first

ODivide tasks into manageable chunks

OUse Post-it arrow flags to mark beginning and end places.

Dealing with a frustrated adolescentYour child says Instead of You respond with

“This is a stupid assignment!”

“I agree! What is that teacher thinking?”

“Why do you think it’s stupid? What do you think is the teacher’s reason for assigning it?”

“Mrs. Baker is unfair. I can’t believe she’s making us write an entire essay!”

“She obviously has a reason. That’s why she’s the teacher. Now get to work.”

“Mrs. Baker wants you to become a good writer. This type of assignment will help you practice writing a topic statement and supporting ideas.”

“I CAN’T DO THIS! IT’S TOO HARD!”

“Yes, you can do it! It’s not too hard. You did this type of problem yesterday.”

“I know this worksheet is hard for you. Math is a tough subject. Let’s try the first couple of problems.”

“I’ll never learn this. I don’t care if I fail the test.”

“You better not fail that test, Buddy. If you get below a C on your report card, you’re grounded.”

“Let’s take a look at what’s causing the problem. Can you show me what you need to study?”

Perseverance is the keyO Univ of Michigan – One reason Asian students

outperform American students is their parents’ emphasis on perseverance. They stress effort – “Work as hard as you can, and you will be successful” – over intelligence.

Say things like “With a little extra practice, you’ll get the hang of it” or “How long did you study?”

Create a family mantra!“The Park family never gives up.”“When the going gets tough, the Parks get going.”“In the Park family, we always finish what we start.”

Avoiding power struggles

O Post homework policies/consequences

O Take a break when you see a disagreement turning into a power struggle

O Ignore little things like:O SighsO Eye rollingO “Fine!” O Sucking teeth

SAMPLE PolicyHomework Policies

O TV goes on only after homework is done and shown to a parent.

O All assignments must be complete by 8 pm. O Homework must be put into binder. Binder

goes into backpack.Rewards for completing homework

O One hour of screen time, to start after 7pm.O Choice of screen time – TV, computer, video

games, cell phone.Consequences for not following the rules

O Loss of screen time for the evening. One warning will always be given before a consequence.