I woke him up early (not that early though) so he could study for his science test. He didn't study much last night. If he doesn't study he fails.
I just went to his IEP meeting yesterday, and we talked about how he was getting better at the studying thing. We were all so proud.
And then he neglects to do it on the same day.
To say I am frustrated with him is accurate.
If he studies he does well. If he studies he aces his tests almost every single time.
But he hates to study. He hates school work. He hates it so much that he wastes time throwing tantrums when it's time to work.
How can I get through to him?
He's experienced the good feelings he gets when he does a good job. But he forgets these feelings quickly.
Sometimes I just want to shake hard work into him (picture of large salt shaker above a child's head -- ooo, I'd be a millionaire if I invented something like that).
The change has to happen within him, him and God working together. No Other-person-imposed change is going to have any lasting effects. Nothing I do works that well because my son doesn't want it to. We've done rewards. I even pay him for the tests he does well on. That motivates a bit but not that much.
This situation reminds me of my total parental inadequacy.
And it also makes me thankful that God is nothing like me.
He is always patient, always compassionate but also relentless.
This is what The Message says in Hebrews 12:
God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. The trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live?
God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
I sent Pete upstairs to get dressed. I told him to do it quick, and he can have hot chocolate when he gets back down.
I said to him, "Pretend it's Christmas morning and you get to open presents when you get back down. You'll be quick then."
He frowned.
"That won't work," he said.
He rolled his eyes and walked upstairs.
Some days I look forward to that empty nest......