Comments for The Blunder Years

Comment on Listening to your natural inner parent by karendukess

karendukess — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:36:22 +0000

First of all, welcome and thanks for reading my blog! As my boys get older, I realize that there is no way to force them to care about studying. My older son tends to be a bit lazy about his schoolwork, doing the minimum to get decent grades rather than pushing harder to get really excellent grades. I’ve come to see that it’s a slow progression — I can’t turn him into a stellar student overnight but as long as I see some progress, some maturing and taking responsibility, I am trusting that in time he will understand the rewards that come from doing your best. We talk about it a lot, but I haven’t found any “trick” that motivates him. I try to point out how good he feels when he does well after working hard, but let him find his own way. It’s not easy to let kids figure it out themselves, but I think it’s ultimately what works best.

Comment on Teenaged boys and gun lust: is it inevitable? by karendukess

karendukess — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:32:47 +0000

I have the same concerns, but I really think that what matters most is what kind of kids they are, not whether or not they happen to enjoy gun games. I think well adjusted, healthy kids can make a distinction between what is fantasy (a game) and what is not. And it probably screws them up when we act frightened of their innocent desire to play war games.

Comment on Teenaged boys and gun lust: is it inevitable? by Mom to 4

Mom to 4 — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:50:55 +0000

This post and replies really hit home. My boys are fascinated with guns, which is egged on by the glorification of violence in tv and film, as well as in video games. I wish I had never purchased an XBox. We don’t allow anything more than nerf guns in the house, despite the boys asking for paint ball and real guns. I just am stuck with when I am worrying too much about the fascination. They are kind to animals and other humans and have no other signs of violence so everything I read says don’t worry, but when they are using gun language and have screen savers of guns and know the names of all of them it makes me uneasy. Any advice or thoughts?

Comment on Listening to your natural inner parent by Mom to 4

Mom to 4 — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:21:02 +0000

I just found this blog as I was looking on tips and support for dealing with teenage boys (I have 4 children, two are boys 13 and 15). We have a rule that if their GPA falls below a 3.0 (B) they don’t earn extra video game time. They get one hour a day, but if grades are good they earn an extra hour. So instead of taking away they earn privileges. This seemed to work somewhat, but now my 15 year old doesn’t care about two classes that are hard for him. I sympathize because I’m bad and math and science too…but can’t find a motivator other than empathizing and trying to make it through.

Comment on The coolest, most inexpensive gift for a teenaged boy by Eliza Shane

Eliza Shane — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:03:08 +0000

Genius! Wonder if my 19 year old would find it as entertaining.. hmmm.. I shall run it past his old man. I think all we’d need to worry about is keeping it clear of the ceiling fans

Comment on The coolest, most inexpensive gift for a teenaged boy by Grown and Flown

Grown and Flown — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:54:11 +0000

SOunds like great fun and I am always looking for things that do not require AA batteries and mindless staring at screens!

Comment on The coolest, most inexpensive gift for a teenaged boy by Susan

Susan — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 01:32:34 +0000

This is a popular game/pastime at Woodloch Resort in PA. They have a giant version by their main building. Folks love it so much, they actually sell mini versions in their gift shop!

Comment on Listening to your natural inner parent by karendukess

karendukess — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 01:02:14 +0000

I expect I’ll find that there is a time when grounding is warranted – just not for homework. I hope when I get to that point, which I’m sure with two boys is inevitable, that my inner parent wants to ground them too!

Comment on Listening to your natural inner parent by jm

jm — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:41:02 +0000

I love the “inner parent” we should all listen to more! I have two boys and the older one has a pattern of under-achieving in one subject, but he over-achieves in two others – so we let it go. And as for grounding – I couldn’t agree more. It’s not me. But I did use it once, with my 16 year old and I stuck to it for a month which was so hard on me. But the uncharacteristic incident which caused it made me do it. I am pretty sure I’ll never have to do it again – with either kid – so it was worth it.

Comment on The coolest, most inexpensive gift for a teenaged boy by karendukess

karendukess — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:47:44 +0000

Xbox 360 is only superior if you have it. My sons have a PS3. And here’s to hoping that they don’t read these comments!