Doesn't Mind Bad Grades

It’s essential to allow teens to experience ownership of their schoolwork. Key points include:

• Recognize that education is ultimately the teen’s responsibility.
• Natural consequences (like lower grades) are powerful teachers if parents do not interfere.
• Resist nagging, bribing, or threatening—this can create power struggles.
• Support them by showing faith in their abilities and treating them as an adult.

Instead of lecturing or punishing, try encouraging conversations using curiosity questions:

• “How do you feel about failing?”
• “What does it mean to you?”
• “What do you want to achieve in life?”
• “What steps do you think will help you get there?”

Listen actively without hoping he will say what you want. Validate his feelings and show faith in his choices.

Practical Positive Discipline tips:

• Do not taunt, shame, or enable by doing his work for him.
• Let him experience failure fully—this helps him internalize the consequences.
• Encourage him calmly and hope for his success without controlling it.
• Recognize that eighth grade is a safe place to make mistakes before high school pressures increase.
• Focus on building a trusting, respectful relationship as the foundation for future responsibility.