Is there something about that 12 year old homeschooler?

Question

I'm homeschooling a boy who is 12 and I seem to remember when his older brother was 12 he went through a similair time. He seems to not want to do school, and we are having daily fights about it. The older one went through that, he is now 14 and doing great. The younger one is 9 and she is doing great. The 12 year old was doing great until this 12 year old mile mark. (Probably puberty, I think) Anyone have any similar problems?

Answer 1

No i dont hve similar probs...but i dont...

Answer 2

Pretty typical, its really bioneurological. And it's not just homeschoolers, public schoolers have the same problem. Not only are hormones changing, but the structure of their thinking is changing, from the child-like concrete thinking to more philosophical. It's very difficult for them to concentrate on much of anything, academic, relational, emotional, etc.

I'd hate to see your relationship ruined. I know I have a 12 yo (he'll be 13 tomorrow!) and we walk a fine line between respecting his needs and the needs I have for the house and work. We do a LOT Of talking, me more of the listening, and pointing out my perspective. It doesn't always work the way I plan lol! But it helps.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes--I hear about it in our homeschooling groups. Something about being a boy at that age--often very difficult to get motivated!

Answer 4

He's probably just a punk.  :p

Love,

His Uncle

Answer 5

I noticed that things go on well for a while, and then a kid can kind of get into a funk-- a rut, maybe. When my kids start becoming particularly difficult about homeschooling, I look at what we're doing... try to change things, shake things up a little, give them some new activities or different types of projects, give them a break from the structure and encourage them to pursue something more exciting for the time being.

When my daughter was 12/13 she got into a funk for a while, getting her to do any of her structured seat work became an argument, she was bored, she took a few months off from the text books and work books and wrote a 200 page novel.

Worked on it for hours every day, attended a weekly teen writing group and a writing class at the community center (which was for senior citizens, but it was free, and she learned a lot from those ladies and gents, I gotta say it was a great experience). She also upped her volunteer hours at the library to 3 days per week and just did a lot of reading and going to the theater... it ended up being a great year, and when we got back to the structured work she didn't mind, she felt refreshed and revitalized and moved on.

Some people (cough FAMILY cough) thought an unstructured year would set her back, but I honestly think it did more good for her than those text books and worksheets could have that year... and she started taking college courses at 15 so I would argue it did not in fact set her back.

Answer 6

na

Answer 7

well try to make some flashcards and he will most likely like it...thats what my mom does with me!and she puts like the answers on the back and i have to study and then get the flashcards..all subjects...science she puts science questions and math math problems..like decimals stuff liek that

Answer 8

My wife & I have a 16 year old son, yes, we went through this, and know of several homeschooling families with similiar aged sons, and I don't think it has ever been easy growing up.

"He seems to not want to do school, and we are having daily fights about it."

This is so laughable because it is so true. Can you imagine a poor public school teacher with 30 of these in the room at once?  This could make men of valor tremble. The best encouragement I can think of for you is perservere. Run the race with endurance, this too shall pass. God WILL bless your efforts;  see, he already has, you said your 14 & 9 year olds are doing great.

We as parents are following Gods instructions to homeschool, and I believe that we ALL have his blessings when we are obedient to his commands.

This is where you'll end up: http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000000/00...

Answer 9

Maybe they are bored. Mix up the routine, go to the park, add some new books. Maybe this will re-spark their interest

Answer 10

Yes!  I think it's puberty, being bored with the routine, and just being plain ornery.   I'm so glad to hear  your 14 year old got through that stage.    We also hit the doldrums every February as if it was scheduled.   I haven't been able to get past it yet.   I have two in that age bracket and had to send one to private school and the other one is hanging on at home not really accomplishing anything.   It is very frustrating.