Comments on: Stumbling block #7 – Procrastination http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/14/stumbling-block-7-procrastination/ From the Desk of WriteShop Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:34:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Kim http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/14/stumbling-block-7-procrastination/comment-page-1/#comment-1177 Kim Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:47:21 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=871#comment-1177 Lisa, thank you for your transparency. Your situation is a tough one. Whether your daughter procrastinates or is just plain lazy, it's time to nip her behavior in the bud. I don't have easy answers, but I do know you need to take back the control that belongs to you as the parent. Your daughter needs to learn that she must earn the right to work independently, and until she does, you'll need to exert more control over when and how she does her schoolwork. For example, your daughter should not be the one to determine when to take a test. Instead of nagging her, may I suggest that you try these steps? <ol> 1. Pick a date for her next math test and give her sufficient notice to study and prepare.</ol> <ol>2. The day before the test, remind her of the test time, such as "I'm giving you a math test tomorrow at 9:00 a.m."</ol> <ol>3. On the day of the test, at 9:00 sharp, administer the test. Have her clear her work surface. Give her a copy of the test. Then set the timer for 50 minutes (most math tests are designed to complete in a class period of less than one hour). For a quiz, allow a shorter time.</ol> <ol>4. Stay in the room with her to supervise. Let her know that she may not get up for a snack, a drink, or a bathroom break. She should take care of these needs before the timer starts.</ol> <ol>5. When the timer rings, collect the test from her---even if she didn't finish. Grade it before the day's end and return it to her in the morning.</ol> This puts <em>you </em>in the driver's seat, not your child---and rightly so! As her parent and teacher, it's your job to call the shots no matter how stubborn she may be! For writing, give her frequent deadlines for each part of the writing process. Help her work within time limits, and teach her to respect due dates. Since procrastination is something <em>you </em>also struggle with, it will be important to make some significant changes in your behavior, too. For instance, edit or grade her work promptly and return it to her in a timely manner. Failing to return work to her on time (or not at all) simply models the same bad habits you're asking your daughter to change. It's the old "Do as I say, not as I do." Helping your child become more disciplined should be wonderful incentive for you to do likewise! I pray things improve for both of you, Lisa! Please let me know how it goes. Lisa, thank you for your transparency. Your situation is a tough one. Whether your daughter procrastinates or is just plain lazy, it’s time to nip her behavior in the bud. I don’t have easy answers, but I do know you need to take back the control that belongs to you as the parent. Your daughter needs to learn that she must earn the right to work independently, and until she does, you’ll need to exert more control over when and how she does her schoolwork.

For example, your daughter should not be the one to determine when to take a test. Instead of nagging her, may I suggest that you try these steps?

    1. Pick a date for her next math test and give her sufficient notice to study and prepare.
    2. The day before the test, remind her of the test time, such as “I’m giving you a math test tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.”
    3. On the day of the test, at 9:00 sharp, administer the test. Have her clear her work surface. Give her a copy of the test. Then set the timer for 50 minutes (most math tests are designed to complete in a class period of less than one hour). For a quiz, allow a shorter time.
    4. Stay in the room with her to supervise. Let her know that she may not get up for a snack, a drink, or a bathroom break. She should take care of these needs before the timer starts.
    5. When the timer rings, collect the test from her—even if she didn’t finish. Grade it before the day’s end and return it to her in the morning.

This puts you in the driver’s seat, not your child—and rightly so! As her parent and teacher, it’s your job to call the shots no matter how stubborn she may be!

For writing, give her frequent deadlines for each part of the writing process. Help her work within time limits, and teach her to respect due dates.

Since procrastination is something you also struggle with, it will be important to make some significant changes in your behavior, too. For instance, edit or grade her work promptly and return it to her in a timely manner. Failing to return work to her on time (or not at all) simply models the same bad habits you’re asking your daughter to change. It’s the old “Do as I say, not as I do.” Helping your child become more disciplined should be wonderful incentive for you to do likewise!

I pray things improve for both of you, Lisa! Please let me know how it goes.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/14/stumbling-block-7-procrastination/comment-page-1/#comment-1175 Lisa Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:20:38 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=871#comment-1175 I am a big procrastinator but I always get the task done! My 8th grade daughter however NEVER gets assignments done on time! She avoids tests especially math and I have to nag her to take the test which usually results in failure for her. She is not a poor student-she is an avid reader and very creative! But when it comes to written work she puts it off and her grades show it. I'm worried that she will have to repeat the grade. HELP! I am a big procrastinator but I always get the task done! My 8th grade daughter however NEVER gets assignments done on time! She avoids tests especially math and I have to nag her to take the test which usually results in failure for her. She is not a poor student-she is an avid reader and very creative! But when it comes to written work she puts it off and her grades show it. I’m worried that she will have to repeat the grade. HELP!

]]> By: Kim http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/14/stumbling-block-7-procrastination/comment-page-1/#comment-1172 Kim Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:34:42 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=871#comment-1172 Bravo, Amy! I love to hear personal success stories! Bravo, Amy! I love to hear personal success stories!

]]> By: Amy http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/14/stumbling-block-7-procrastination/comment-page-1/#comment-1170 Amy Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:09:22 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=871#comment-1170 This used to be a problem for me personally, but I have changed my ways... hopefully permanently. For my kids so far, we have no trouble in this area because all the assignments I have given are finished the same day, no biggies yet. But as soon as we start officially with some bigger writing projects, maybe we'll have some issues in this area. I hope not! :) amy in peru This used to be a problem for me personally, but I have changed my ways… hopefully permanently. For my kids so far, we have no trouble in this area because all the assignments I have given are finished the same day, no biggies yet. But as soon as we start officially with some bigger writing projects, maybe we’ll have some issues in this area. I hope not! :)

amy in peru

]]> By: Kim http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/14/stumbling-block-7-procrastination/comment-page-1/#comment-1112 Kim Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:16:15 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=871#comment-1112 Very wise, Isabelle! Very wise, Isabelle!

]]> By: Isabelle aka Canadianladybug http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/14/stumbling-block-7-procrastination/comment-page-1/#comment-1109 Isabelle aka Canadianladybug Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:50:50 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=871#comment-1109 "Work on adopting a “do it first” attitude" I find that doing something that is less interesting in the morning is better anyway because the brain is more awake... I even do that myself. Besides, it helps to not forget about it either. My son loves his math but writing and reading in both official languages is not so fun for him. So I try to do it in the morning so he can enjoy something he really like later... “Work on adopting a “do it first” attitude”

I find that doing something that is less interesting in the morning is better anyway because the brain is more awake… I even do that myself. Besides, it helps to not forget about it either. My son loves his math but writing and reading in both official languages is not so fun for him. So I try to do it in the morning so he can enjoy something he really like later…

]]> By: Kim http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/14/stumbling-block-7-procrastination/comment-page-1/#comment-1081 Kim Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:10:14 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=871#comment-1081 Good goal, Tammy. I know how hard it can be to follow up on our kiddos, especially when we're homeschooling several children and juggling multiple extracurricular activities to boot. I have every confidence that you'll see improvement in this area! Good goal, Tammy. I know how hard it can be to follow up on our kiddos, especially when we’re homeschooling several children and juggling multiple extracurricular activities to boot. I have every confidence that you’ll see improvement in this area!

]]> By: Tammy http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/14/stumbling-block-7-procrastination/comment-page-1/#comment-1080 Tammy Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:29:59 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=871#comment-1080 Thanks once again for the uplifting lecture. Now, if I can get better at the follow up, our assignments will be less stressful. Thanks once again for the uplifting lecture. Now, if I can get better at the follow up, our assignments will be less stressful.

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