Getting a teen to study can be like pulling teeth. There’s always an excuse such as their busy talking on the cell phone, or need to send an email about, of all things, a homework assignment. You might find yourself as mom or dad wondering how you can get your children to sit down and study, without a lot of fuss. There’s a way, but you’ll need to use a firm tone and a little psychology to get it done.  Read a few of the tips below and get the inside dope on how to get your kids to study, and make good grades by doing it.

A few weeks before school begins, start talking about the up and coming new school year. It doesn’t have to be a lecture, but bring up the important issue of how their going to approach the year and what their overall goals are for the next school term. The talk doesn’t have to be at the kitchen table, but anytime the opportunity presents itself, such as riding with them to the grocery, a day out shopping, or working in the yard. You’ll be surprised how a teen will open up at times that you least expect. They’ll tell you their feelings, and any unresolved issues or concerns that they’ve got can be shared.  Working together you’ll be able to help them by emotional and physical support before school ever begins.

Next, work with your teen to sit up a place for them to study. Depending on your teen, whether they like a room to their self or feel more comfortable working around others at home, get their place in order before school. Of course, most high schools aren’t like primary and middle school where a supply list is available at your local discount store, but you can get the basics. Narrow and wide ruled paper, number two pencils and their favorite pens will get them ready for the first day back. Have as much ready to go for them and that includes clothes and other needs like lunch if they eat take one from home.

Help your teen pick a schedule for after school. Work together on ways that they’ll be able to get their homework done, and all of their chores that you need to have done, or that you think is their responsibility. Compromise is the name of the game with a teen, so be ready to be flexible. It’s not fun growing up, and teens get tired of their responsibility and commitment to school and home too. Negotiate on when the dishes need to be washed, or the animals in your home fed, if you got them. Most parents prioritize that homework is the first necessity; so let them know that you care enough to emphasize that issue. Their education will see them get ahead in the future, and you might be the one to pick up some work during the school year.

If your teen is one that loves to be on the go, and involved in lots of things, you might have to gently put limits on how much they can participate in at school, and with friends on the weekend too. If you know that they over extend then let them participate in one or two school functions, and if they handle it well, let them take on a little more. There’s a limit on how much anyone can do, and to do a few things well is the goal for your teen. Letting them set themselves up for failure by joining or doing to much with others, will affect their grades, so let them go, but rein it in when needed.

Extra help is often part of the bag with school. Certainly, if your teen has trouble making the grade, after you’ve provided for their needs, get homework tutoring at school and at home. There are after school programs that provided the needed help, and you can work with your teen with any other assistance they need. Remember, though. this is if they’re really struggling and not goofing off, and not following the rules that you’ve both established. If they are not truly doing their work, let them know there are consequences for their actions, do this before school starts and make it clear. Stick to the rules and if necessary ground them from all extra curricular activities and friends.

Being a parent isn’t easy, but getting them homework done shouldn’t be brain science. Work with them, so they’ll come out on top of the homework game.

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