Hard work pays off....

Ok...so for the last 3 1/2 weeks my evenings have been stressful. We put Alex in a "elementry school" type program where he has to have his assignments and agenda signed off by both his teachers at school and me at home!  Given that he is a Junior in High School, we shouldn't have to do this. My two NT/ADHD son's are in 8th grade and they do their homework without my standing over their shoulder.

Alex and I argue every night. He goes upstairs for any reason possible. He delays. He uses the bathroom 8 times in 2 hours. He scatters papers all over the living room and dining room. He needs a snack. He needs new batteries. He can't think with the tv on. Excuses, Excuses about homework...so two hours worth of work takes 6 or 7. In the past, I would have given in and told him I didn't care....do what he wanted....but this time I am holding strong!

I won't let him up from the table until it is done and done correctly. I have made him sit there from 4 to 10 pm...when he is done he is still stuck in the living room with me.

But three weeks into this semester, he has 3 A's (Chemistry 98%, Challenge/Honors English, 96%, and American History 92%) one B (Child Growth and Development 84% and climbing), and one C (AP Psychology 77%...up from a 56% two weeks ago...and A+ on his last two quizes!). He is much less argumentative about getting his homework done. Now, most days it is done and ready for me to sign off on when I get home from work at 5 pm. He still tries to skip assignments, and I have caught him not writing things down or only doing half an assignment or procrastinating....but when I catch him now, he admits it and goes to sit down and get it done. He told me he has figured out that in order to do well in AP Psychology, it helps to read the textbook (duh!). His teacher and I have told him that all year long but I guess he had to figure it out himself over half way through the class!

I know better than to lighten up on him...and I can't tell him that I am proud of him and that he is doing a great job, because to him that is the signal to quit working....so I'll say it here, where he can't see it! I am proud that he is finally working up to potential and maybe learning some good study habits. Next quarter, I might even let him go to his room after he gets his agenda signed off!