I saw students go from straight As, organized and sweet to pre-teens and teens who resemble moody Pigpens from the Peanuts Gang.  I remember standing at my classroom door as one sweet boy who, as the bell was ringing for class to start, was running down the hall with his shirt halfway untucked, struggling to keep his books and binders in his arms, and finally dropping his three-ring binder only to watch his papers fly all over the hallway.  My heart bled for him and as we were scooping us his papers and books, we decided to schedule a time to reorganize his locker, learn how to use his planner, and try to get back on track.   Easier said than done.

The kind customer I spoke with suggested to me that the homeschool notepad we sell with our homeschool station might work wonders to keep her son organized and teach proper study habits.  It would force him on a Monday after school to plan out the week: tests, quizzes, assignments, games, etc.  Then she could aid him in learning how to truly study (not just the night before the quiz or exam).  Another thing to check out is our goal-setting checklist to teach your child how to set a long-term goal, then break it up into smaller goals.  Finally, for younger children, our week-at-a-glance calendar can act as a planner; you can sit down with your child on Monday and plan out the week.  This does two things: helps them understand their responsibilities at school each week (why they can't just sit down and watch TV after school!) as well as how to prepare for tests and exams to ensure lifelong learning vs short-term recall.

Our middle schoolers might pretend like they don't need us; they might roll their eyes as they storm away when you give them an answer they don't like; or they might want us to drop them off a block away so their friends don't see them hitching a ride with MOM or DAD! GAWD!  But ultimately they do need us.  Our unwanted words actually comfort them (deep down) that they are loved and protected.  {I draw a blank how to explain the block away drop-off.}  So if we can see through the few years of middle school fog, we know that with our help they will come out of the fog as (wait for it....) responsible high schoolers!