Gotta Love "The Situation"
My 10 year-old is having academic “situations.”
He is not focused, grades are on life support and he is on the verge of failing the first marking period. This is a real situation.
Sebastian is smart, talented and a little on the shy side, but, this new phase came out of no – where.
He loves to play, however, lately the frolicking has morphed into something “special.” Let me say I know an intervention is needed.
Yes, each child may not be on the academic fast track, but I know when someone is not even trying to do his or her best. That’s what’s happening?
My son can take a part a computer and rebuild it in a matter of mere hours; operate any electronic gadget and assemble in two seconds –that’s his passion but school still must come first.
When his grades started to plummet my husband and I did Intervention 101 and took away some of his privileges. It didn’t faze him.
I knew something was up – but what? Here comes the Brand New Mommy CSI — cap and bag in hand it was time do some major sleuthing.
This past Saturday, I went to Sebastian and said, “I’m not gonna lose you, so what’s up? I asked if he thought his sister was taking his daddy away? He said, “Yes.”
BNM, he started to talk and cry and told me how he was feeling. I marched him downstairs to his dad and said, “You guys talk, cry, hug, and let’s get this situation under control.” I left the room and let the father and son do what they had to do — communicate.
Let me say it’s never a dull moment when you have a blended family or any family for that matter as I relayed in Ebony magazine (November 2010 issue). At the end of the day my family is important to me and saving my son is my #1 priority as a Brand New Mommy.
At present, the situation is under control (keep us in prayer).
Here are my tips for getting the situation under control:
1) Observe all new behaviors and record it
2) Communicate by talking their language
3) Call an intervention
4) Timing is key, don’t waste any time
5) Monitor behavior each week and record it.
Has this ever happened to you with your child/children and what did you do to remedy the situation? Do you think I handled this correctly?
Pingback: Tweets that mention “ I Think We Have A Situation” | The Brand New Mommy Blog -- Topsy.com
You continue to inspire me. Please hang in there with your son — he will come around.
Our kids keep surprising us. His academics will turnaround. Zaria was struggling in science last year but now she is doing so much better. Keep writing great posts:)
Your son will certainly come around. My husband and I are going through something similar with our 8-year-old. He was acting out because he felt like he wasn’t getting as much attention as our 2 babies. Our answer is more attention (Daddy/Mommy & Me time) as well as some definite rules and schedules put in place to make sure he is adhering to what is expected of him. So far so good. Your son will come around because he knows deep down he’s loved, and is an important part of your family. Looking Forward, Cynthia.