yesterday I heard my 13 year old telling his friend why it wasn't a good idea

for the other kid to skip school to catch up on homework. Long story - they spend a lot of time talking on the phone about this child's HW (he seems to have trouble writing and planning his assignments and my son tries to help him). My son was able to tell him he should talk to his parents, and that his helping him wasn't enough.

I'll probably have to talk to the teacher soon and ask whether this child is getting enough help at school. I thought about calling his mom and asking her, but I want to get more of the story straight before i do that. It's funny how kids this age will say their parents don't help with things, and it usually isn't true.


I was so proud of my son for being honest and straight up about this as well as compassionate! :bounce:

i just posted on kitchenwitch thread about my oldest. he hears noise, rustling papers whatever, he doesnt hear what teacher is saying. i dont know how many times he has said..... uh... uh. lol. i have convinced him he can call a school friend and ask.

anyway... i like how your son handled it. nice for a parent to hear kid making choices that we hope are being instilled. good stuff as they get older.

heard, understood and used!


I feel bad for this kid since he seems worried about telling his mom about his not finishing or having trouble finishing his work, and I usually tell him that I don't think he needs to worry (I've met his mom and she is a very nice woman). It's hard since some parents seem to think their kids are just blowing stuff off when often it is learning, attention or processing problems. (I'm in the mental health field so I'm used to talking to kids about these things and giving them suggestions, but I don't want to get into this role with my son's peers if I can avoid it.)


But at the same time, I don't want to be listening in to all my kid's conversations and not letting him make his own choices. Ah, adolescence is always interesting!



:hi: Seabeyond, I always enjoy your thoughtful perspective on things!

thank you. i was thinking the same thing right back at you.

science teacher walked out with youngest yesterday. he didn't do daily work. he had started, erased it and didn't do. he had to stay after school to finish. he went to tell me why he didn't do. i KNOW that the only time he doesn't do homework, or he doesn't do daily work is when he doesn't get it, or didn't hear the instruction. then he is to concerned asking for help, or teacher to repeat.

we know our kids... lol, generally better than they know. your sons advice is probably right on and would alleviate a lot of unnecessary stress for his friend, if he just talked to parents.