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Parents Need to be Enlightened

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DR. WALLACE: I'm 14, and my older sister is 16. She is very bright and always gets excellent grades. My grades are always just average or slightly above. This means that I'm put on restriction often and denied going to after-school functions because I "need more study time," according to Mom and Dad. But even though I study a lot, I wind up with C's and an occasional B. During the winter break, my mother wouldn't let me attend my best friend's Christmas party because I'm getting a C in English, instead of a B.

Because of her good grades, my sister gets to go anywhere and do anything she wants. I do love my sister, but we have different interests. She is active in most school activities, and all I'm interested in is sports. I'm a very good pitcher in softball, and I start at guard for the basketball team. Please tell me what I can do to get my parents to treat me fairly. - Nameless, Austin, Texas

NAMELESS: Not all siblings have the same capacity to get excellent grades. Mother Nature decides who will be A students and who will be C students. But as a former high school principal, I have observed students who graduated with average grades and yet accomplished above-average feats in many different areas.

Speak with your school counselor or administrator and share your dilemma. This professional will understand. Ask that your parents meet this educator who will enlighten them to the fact that punishing you for doing your very best in school is not the best way to encourage you to enjoy school and to enjoy being an important family member.

 

I WANT HIM TO CHATTER WITH ME

DR.

WALLACE: A friend of my brother's is very cute, but he is also very shy. When he comes over to our house, I try to encourage him to talk with me, but if I ask him a question, he always answers yes or no, and that's it. But when he's talking with my brother, he's a real chatterbox. What can I do to encourage him to chatter with me a little bit? - Nameless, Holland, Mich.

NAMELESS: Never ask a shy person a question that can be answered by a simple yes or no. You have already discovered this. Instead, ask a thought-provoking question that a shy person is likely to have an opinion about, such as music, movies, athletics or school activities. Avoid controversial topics such as religion and politics. Instead of asking, "Do you like heavy-metal music?", which can be answered by a simple yes or no, ask, "What do you think about heavy-metal music?"

Always smile when you start a conversation, and never correct the person, even if you are positive that he is wrong about the topic. You are not trying to make the debate team; you are trying to get this cute shy guy to show an interest in you.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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2 Comments | Post Comment
LW1: That is one of the worst answers I have ever seen - it basically tells this kid "you are dumb and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it". Good grades are not determined by genes or by Mother Nature - if they were, why study, why aim to improve? Every kid has the capacity to get excellent grades if they learn how to study according to their abilities and potential, if they have a good teacher and good parental support; you may not get outstanding grades in every subject, but as long as you are not failing, I strongly believe all kids can excel in at least one subject.
First of all, are your parents more involved in your education, are they helping you out? Just cutting privileges is an awful idea, because you end up hating school and losing all enthusiasm for study and learning. Maybe you need a tutor (volunteer or paid), a different approach. If you are getting bad grades even if you are studying, I strongly suggest re-evaluating your whole approach to studying.
Second, learn from success: what is your sister's approach to studying? Does she use any special methods or shortcuts? How does she take notes, how does she tackle papers, homework and tests? Your sister is obviously smart, but she may have very well developed a studying strategy that is working very nicely for her (as long as it does not involve cheating, that is)
Third, what exactly do you do when you study, just stare at a book hoping to absorb knowledge by osmosis? that will not work! I would strongly recommend that you get a study guide (in high school I read 'What Smart students know" by adam robinson, and it made a tremendous difference). You may be surprised to find that getting good grades does not involve all-day, every day studying (that happens in graduate school....and in college as well), but studying efficiently, taking good notes, questioning yourself continuously to make sure you understand what you are reading, as well as making reading and learning part of your everyday life. In short, if you want A's you need to overhaul and drastically change your whole strategy and approach to school and studying, and you have to ask for help. Then identify your favourite subject and try to aim for an A in that course, even if it means asking for work for extra credit. You like sports? Then you may also know about strategy, teamwork and what you have to do to improve - take that focus to your schoolwork
Comment: #1
Posted by: R
Sun Feb 5, 2012 10:24 AM
LW1: Your mom sounds like a real tool. You should tell her if she really cared she'd get more involved with your education instead of just punishing you when you don't do as well as your sister. Tell your mom to stop being lazy and do her job.
Comment: #2
Posted by: Diana
Sun Feb 5, 2012 6:05 PM
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