1.  Problem: Your child doesn’t accept age-appropriate responsibility for school work.

Before you begin do the following:

Observe your child. Be as specific as possible when naming the problem. 

Keep a notes. Write down the problem. List everything that you try and the results of your effort.

1. Desired Outcome: Your child will understand how to accept age-appropriate responsibility for school work. Talk with your child and your family about the desired outcome. Make your desired outcome specific for your child. Write down the goal / desired outcome. Post the outcome where it can be easily seen.

              Remember: If you don’t think ahead, your family won’t move forward.

3. Possible Actions: Read the possible actions below. Decide which ones would be most effective to use with your child. Focus on the outcome behavior.

*Check your child’s physical comfort. This includes possible medical problems, such as vision or hearing. Make sure you keep current with your child’s health check-ups.

*Talk with your child to find the cause of your child’s lack of responsibility.

*Talk to your child about what he/she is doing wrong and what your child should be doing.

*Establish family school work rules which includes the materials needed, time, place, and expectations for completion.

*Stick to your family rules about completing homework.

*Keep track of good results. Use a calendar, or another form, to keep track of the number of times your child accepts responsibility for his/her school work.

*Provide your child with a reward after the desired outcome has been attained for an age-appropriate number of times.

* Write an age-appropriate contract with your child. Include the expectations and possibly a reward for meeting the goals of the contract.

4. Follow-up along the way: Periodically review and reflect on your child’s progress. What is working? What is not working? Adjust your actions accordingly to meet the needs of your child. It’s important to recognize the attainment of a successful goal completed, however you will notice small achievements along the way. Recognize these smaller successes. It will encourage your child to keep trying and let your child know that he/she is on the right path. It will also motivate your child and make him/her more receptive when new goals are introduced. 

5.Evaluate your selected actions:

   If your actions were successful, keep using them. However, continue to monitor your child. You can use these actions as preventative measures if your child has a set back.

    If your child is unsuccessful, seek help from school your family doctor etc. Take your notes with you. Let those helping you know what you have tried and the results of your efforts. This record can go a long way to getting your child the help that he/she deserves.