My teen is failing in school

He needs more love, less judgment ❤️.

My daughter is 14 and at a point she was acting the same . I sat her down to talk to her and she explained all. Now she too in all her classes. It’s not every child who wants to talk to there parent , maybe get someone who he gets along with to have a conversation with him.

Speaking from my personal experience at that age, 20 years ago, I know that the medications I was on (it was a constant stream of them) were all too sedating. I went from honor roll, looking at private high schools to failing within a year or two. My biggest struggle was homework. I would come home and sleep. I'd skip class, etc. My town was fortunate to have an alternative school in which homework was not a thing. All work was done at school. I ended up graduating a semester early and starting college in what would have been my final semester of high school. Perhaps an alt school might be worth looking into? Charter school?

@Cecil I just can’t get him to open up to me. He seems to like his therapist so i’m really putting all my hopes in her that she can help him.

@Becca I can’t even get him to bring books home to do homework. The school is letting us use theirs so he can do work at home (which is another issue in itself!). I am considering another school but I feel like it wouldn’t help. Even considering homeschool but I don’t feel I would benefiting him in any way, plus I work full time. Thanks for the suggestion!

As someone who was that preteen. I couldn't see the white board cuz I was so damn blind and my mom couldn't afford glasses. At that point I didn't even know I couldn't see like everyone else. Also I had learning disabilities that I had no iep for. I often suspect that a lot of these kids who were honor roll in elementary will no longer be once mom stops doing/helping with most of their work. As for behavioral, maybe he is bored, maybe he needs some structure somewhere. Maybe he needs to be switched homeroom? That's something hopefully the counselors can figure out. I do know that once my mom/school made it clear I was a failure I gave up on school. I'd stay on the playground after the bell ring, take naps during class sometime. I'd still try to do my work but the effort put in wasn't 100%

Mines always failing classes

@Jade We’ve switched classes and it hasn’t changed. I know i’m constantly nagging at him about how he needs to behave, he’s always grounded, has his phone taken away, can’t play video games… something to show he has a consequence for his actions. I’ve basically layed out that if he is disrespectful to his teachers, he knows he will lose phone privileges but he continues to act disrespectful. He hates school. I get it, I didn’t like school either but not failing isn’t a option. He’s not doing assignments in class so he’s having to do them at home, getting lunch detention, Saturday school etc. So frustrating!!

@Crystal gosh I really hope someone can find what's going on. Is there any chances someone is touching him? Or a recent divorce or bullying taking place? Sounds like ur kiddo did a 180° on you. And ima be frank, sometimes punishment isn't what every child needs. I can't tell you what he needs but yall gotta try something else.

@Crystal It’s good to know that your son gets along with the therapist. Hopefully he will be free and open up to her soon 💕plus his getting older , teens attitude and behaviour tend to change from time to time.