Many parent has faced the dilemma of how to deal with a teenager who doesn't want to go to school. Here are some great tips for what to do when this situation arises:
1. Find out why. The reason behind not wanting to go always points to the solution. Sometimes a teen won't want to go because a secret of theirs got let out and they are embarrassed. Maybe their friends are being mean to them. Maybe they have a big test in a class that they did not have time to study for. Maybe there are feeling overwhelmed by their classes. Maybe they don't feel cute enough, or they had a big zit pop up on their nose over night. Regardless of the reason, knowing it will help you get them back to school without a fight.
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2. Try to address the problem with maturity so you can find a solution. Telling a child that it is stupid to miss school over a zit is not going to help them get to school willingly any faster. Instead, take them to find some cover up, and offer them a more long term solution like going to a dermatologist and getting a face wash that will help their skin stay clear. If it is a friend problem, help them figure out a way to resolve, or if it has escalated too far, consider switching schools. If they are simply unprepared, make them go anyway, and stay on them better about their school work in the future.
What to Do When a Teenager Does Not Want to Go to School
3. Evaluate the regularity of the problem. If your teen consistently wants to miss school, and you find it is because they feel unprepared for classes, with homework, etc. you might want to help them cut out some things in their life that are taking up all of their school time. They may just be in a class that is too advanced for them, and it might be better to move them to a different class, but not before you try some things. The point is, the problem may be an ongoing one, and an easy fix is not going to get them wanting to go back to school. They might go back one day, but are they going to want to miss the next day?
It is natural for teens to sometimes resist school. They may claim that they will never use the things they are learning in their everyday life, and in some cases they may be right. But if you can help your teen understand that whether they like it or not, that is the system, and in order to be where they want to eventually be in life, they have to follow the steps of progression, and have a fall back plan. Without a high school diploma that is a nearly impossible task.
What to Do When a Teenager Does Not Want to Go to School
Beverly Frank is a work-at-home writer and mom to two young kids. Visit http://www.surfnetparents.com for more parenting ideas.
