Replies to 'General Advice'

We have had motivational difficulties with our middle son.  The school counselor asked us "what is his IMMEDIATE pay-off for doing his homework?"...well, there wasn't one...we had already banned him from the computer and playing outside...back fired big time...have also tried long-term rewards...didn't help in the short-run...

Recently, we wrote up a homework contract for our son...it includes earned computer time for each assignment brought home and completed, or a note from the teacher if there is "no homework" for that day...our son is in 9th grade, with a different teacher for every class...Our son earns 5 minutes of computer time for every assignment brought home, and 5 more minutes for every assignment completed, or partially completed, if it is a multi-day assignment...20 minutes are earned for reading his AR book for 1 hour...total computer time earned is 1 hour per day...no more than that...if homework isn't brought home...no computer...and the homework must be done before any time on the computer is allowed.

For long-term rewards...for bringing his cumulative averages up for every class...bringing up his grades...he earns points that he can use toward extra computer time on the weekends, TV time, outings with the family, and the big prize, for 100 points earned...a $25 item...plus, if he has nothing lower than B's at the end of the school year, he will get to pick a DVD...

Our son has possible bipolar disorder, along with ADHD...we see a psych counselor every month...she really likes the homework contract...

So far, it has been working better than anything else we have tried...and we've tried plenty...he is bringing home his work, or notes...we are strict to stick to the contract...he tries to make us bend it...but no way...

Good Luck...Becky