Ok, readers, I could use some input. I just can't get the Elder Child moving. Not in the morning for chores, not during school for math speed drills, and not at dinner (even when there's something fun afterward). He. Just. Won't. Go. Faster.
A big portion of the problem seems to be his inability to focus. Morning chores get distracted by "helping" Younger Brother cut something out. Math speed drills lose the attention span to whatever else is (or isn't) going on in the school room. Dinner... well, everything distracts dinner. Skinny boy doesn't like to eat on schedule. I thought we had a breakthrough on Monday, when he lost the chance to go to his beloved soccer practice over a particularly difficult (& lengthy) dinner.
To help with the focus issue, we're considering enrolling the boys in a martial arts program. Anything else we could try?
1 comment:
I've never tried martial arts with the kids because it seems to me that, with boys especially, it leads to violence. Even though they'll tell you up and down it doesn't - maybe true for adults, kids just lack the maturity to distinguish, imo.
But I have tried other sports to improve my children's focus and concentration. Mostly individual-type sports like tennis, swimming and fencing. Fencing satisfies the natural blood-lust in boys somewhat but isn't likely to be taken out of the studio because who has foils laying around?
I think, just stick to the schedule, as you are doing, but allow extra time for your child's stalling tactics so you aren't frustrated and he doesn't feel rushed.
Post a Comment