A Battle of Wills

Parents of teenagers unite! For it is together that we can quell the uprising against education and see a change in the attitude towards study and achieving high grades. Well, it all sounds good in theory but in reality, is it a battle that can be won? Yes, I have a teenager. One who devotes very little time to homework or study. This child outlays more energy moving from the bedroom to the couch than they do towards schoolwork. Over the past week, I have vented my anger, I have said my piece and I have contacted teachers. However, at the end of the day, did I make any ground? Did I claw back even an inch of the enemy’s territory? Was it worth it?

Some would say it’s not worth the fight. Others say it is important to keep them focused and to push forward. However, this week I am showing the signs of battle fatigue. The fire is gone from the belly and I am just not in a position to jump over the trenches one more time and face the dreaded onslaught of words. I feel more like waving that white flag and accepting that while I believe in the importance of school, the child has a different view point.

I know that my child has the potential to excel and if only they could see that. From discussions with other parents, I know I am not alone. This is normal teenage behaviour. So who are we to push our child to study? We are parents. Parents who want our child to succeed and who can see that this child has the ability to achieve, if only they would try. We are parents who want the best for our child – just like our parents before us.

As the battle cry goes out, my parents must take shelter as they know how this battle will end. The likelihood of changing the mindset of a hormonal, full of attitude, I know everything teenager is remote. Life is about living, not school. School is a place to socialise, free of charge with periods of boredom scattered through the day.

So, perhaps I need to rethink the strategy. Maybe I need to take off the camouflage gear, put away the weapons of mass destruction and chill. While I still need to encourage my child to put effort into their education, I need to allow them to make their own mind up. Perhaps, just perhaps, the penny will drop before too long and they will recognise that effort equals reward. Time for a telegram (or in this case text) from the frontline to put a stop to the trench warfare - where’s the phone?