Last night as we helped the kids organize their school supplies, and put them in their backpacks, we talked about how we want the school year to go. Last year, Raegan slacked off a lot, and her grades really took a nose dive. We talked about how we expect a lot better this year.
She did manage to pull out her math grade a bit (she was failing it for half the year), and was accelerated to 8th grade math this year. I told her that it's acceptable to have a hard time, and ask for help. It is not acceptable to just not do or turn in the work.
We started talking about rewards, and consequences (to all the kids) about not doing your best in school. We don't expect them to be honor roll, straight A students. We'd love it if they were, but we do expect them to try their best, and do their best in school.
To that end, we have said for the past few years, ever since Raegan first started getting letter grades, that we expect nothing less than a C- on any report card, at any given time. There have always been clearly defined consequences.
Our way of thinking, is that if they are having trouble in a class, they need to come to us about it, and let us know. From there, we can help them, or talk to their teacher(s) about it, and find out what the problem areas are. There is no excuse for failing a class when help is available for them.
We want the kids to be able to become their best.
Anyway, while we were talking, we came up with a school contract for the older two kids. Both have different things outlined as to what we expect of the upcoming year, with clearly defined rewards and consequences, so that they know what they are getting into.
For instance, with Raegan, for each grade below a C- she receives on a report card, she is grounded for 2 weeks from the TV, phone, computer, video games, and friends. So, if she brings home 2 D's, she's grounded for 4 weeks, and so on. Additionally, for each grade below a C-, she's going to spend a week on her next school break (winter, spring, summer) with her grandma up north.
For Chris, we went with extra chores for a week for each grade below a C-, and the same no TV, phone, computer, video games, or friends for 2 weeks.
For the rewards, we agreed that if they get all C's or higher, they will get $15 per trimester (they get 3 report cards per year). If it's all B's or higher, they get $20, and if it's all A's, they'll get $25.
Additionally, Chris and Nick's Dad had a side agreement back at the end of the school year last year. Chris got all A's for the entire year last year, and if he does it again this year, he'll get to spend a portion of the summer in Florida with his Grandpa.
I'm torn on this- for starters, I know that no matter what grades the girls get, they won't get this offer. Mike is a great guy, but he's not good with the girls, and tends to ignore them. Of course, knowing Nick's sister, I can see why. But, it's still irksome.
I also am not sure how much I like the idea of Chris being away from his normal structure for most of a summer. Nick's dad is talking about the entire summer, but I think that's going to be vetoed by me for being too long. I think a month, tops, is more than enough time for Chris.
Anyway, we wrote up the contracts, and the people involved with each one signed them- me, Nick, and Rae on hers, and Nick, Mike, Chris, and me on Chris's.
I have them tucked away. Hopefully, we'll be shelling out money this year. I hope that's the case.
Ok, gotta run- Gilly's bus gets here in 10 minutes!! Then, it's footloose, and Kid Free!
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Comments: 16
That's an interesting approach you're taking and I hope it works well for you.
Florida in the summer? He might not last a month there :)
The twins love going to different types of camps in the summer, but they are very expensive sometimes. This year they didn't do any because of scheduling conflicts, but I have used them as rewards for hard work done during the school year in the past.
One summer they both went to a scout camp (you don't have to be in the scouts either, in case your girls aren't) where they spent two weeks at a horse ranch brushing up on their riding skills and learning new stuff-- they had a blast. A year before that, Christine opted for an art camp and Cathy did a sailing camp.
Just a thought.
It's $260 a week, but my daughter sells sub sandwiches (the sales start in January and go on through early May) and almost earned her whole entire way this year!
Anywho, for Gilly, you might be able to qualify for scholarship or something. The girls did the first year because I was just starting to work after living on student loans for the last two years. They probably would have the past couple years to, since there are two of them, but I was able to budget it comfortably so I did not request the help.
It has worked out very well.
The first few years it was more sporadic, but this past year 3 of the 4 were able to get the money both times... (two semesters here) and it really encourages them. Anytime they start falling a little bit they think about that money and what they want to do with it and it makes them get back to work and put forth huge effort to "make the grade."
I hope it works out for you!
I hope the contracts work well for the kids~
You may laugh, but at 3 cough 7 I still have a contract with my mom and step dad in place. It deals with my depression and the cancer, you know taking my meds, asking for help if it gets bad or I can't afford the drs. visits or meds. On their end they promised to only ask me about it once a week and not to freak out or think the sky is falling if I do ask for help.