10 yr boy -- anybody want to take him for a bit?

[Mom2legomaniacs]

He is sweet and charming. Good helper. But we are butting heads with his piddling. I truly cannot get a handle on how best to help him focus and stay focused. This is driving me up the wall. Redirecting has to happen often when his head is not in the game. Not every day, but in a bad cycle right now.

I need to find a way to help him that is effective without being negative. This is mostly just a vent of frustration. Our groove has not kicked in yet this new year. We are in our 5th week and to me, that is unusual. We always have an adjustment at the beginning, but this one seems really long and painful this time. Not fun!

[Remudamom]

Send him along. I'll never notice an extra boy.

[Jen3boys]

Sure, send him over for the day! We have lots of lego and my boys would love to meet him.
My dc have times when everything is frustrating too. Like when ds1 takes an hour to write 6 sentences. Or ds2 gets so frustrated over a math problem that he can't even think. I just have to take a deep breath..or two or three.

[HeatherH]

OH, Melissa -

SHIP HIM TO ME!!!!

Ds wants a brother. He has tons of Legos and his own room.

I'd take him for a week!

[Heather in the Kootenays]

Somewhere around 12, the ability to focus started to kick in. It still only kicks in selectively but life is easier. And his school work is so much better.

I think it may be a bit like toilet training - until they're ready, you can only encourage (and do your best not to lose your mind).

[Camy]

First, I will have the older boys work him over (this always helps to humble a 10 year old) then we will use public humiliation to remind him that he is not the king of the world.

LOL>

Momma, it sounds like you need to take a time out from the serious and hang out with your boy for a bit...just to re-tie some strings.

Try this.....if you have a videogame system, offer to play with him for an hour or so. This would not only shock him, but impress him! You really have to make an effort with this (just ask me!)...act like you enjoy it...act like you want to play it for hours. Mention that you may consider giving up housework for some time on the X-Box. Tell him you really like it...then laugh.

Have some fun! Too much tension between momma and her 10 yob is no good.

Blessings,

Camy (momma to 6 boybarians)

[elegantlion]

You can send him here too. My son could use some competition.

[hsmamainva]

Send him over here!! My two boys would love it!

But...he must be willing to sleep, eat, and breathe Star Wars, Legos, and Wii.

:D

However...both of my boys are good workers ... they spent 2 hours this morning doing yard work, for instance -- Hey!!! -- Maybe 2 hours of yard work would help your 10 year old with his dawdling!! He might discover that doing his math, or reading another chapter of his reading book beats pulling weeds!

And...before you think my children are perfect, let me introduce you to my oldest daughter ... oy!!! She could write a book on procrastination!! Taking classes at the community college has helped with that, but she still does 99% of her essays an hour before she has to head out the door for class!

[Tammyla]

You bet...Send him over and he can play with my 11/ds. :grouphug:(((M))):grouphug: I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it's power for the man making course. They can be dis-tractable, irritable, argumentative and will fight you till the end, but they still love ya and eventually grow into themselves.

[Tarheel Heather]

I'll trade you! Your ds for my 7dd!

Sounds good to me!

[percytruffle]

Melissa, I have one word for you: Caffeine!

Seriously though, a good cup of tea used to help my ds focus at that age. It's not like he was some tea addict, but an occasional cup lifts the "brain fog". I know it helps me. We all have those days when it seems we can't get even the smallest task accomplished in a timely manner...:glare: