I wouldn’t remove his chores. That just gives him more time not to do what he’s supposed to.

What exactly is he doing instead of homework? My first guess would be he’s watching tv or out with friends.

In my house growing up, television could NOT be watched (without permission) before my homework was done. If there was a show I wanted to watch and I hadn’t finished my homework, I put a tape in and was allowed to watch it later. Similarly, friends were not allowed to come over (or I to go to their house) until my homework was done UNLESS I was going there to study for a test or something, in which case, my mom verified that the other parents would make sure we were doing our homework before playing.

I think you have to be firm about this. My parents wouldn’t move an inch. They always said I could choose between chores or homework and how I wanted to do what when, but not doing them wasn’t an option. Of course, they made concessions if I had a huge project due so chores wouldn’t keep me from doing it, but I virtually had no problems getting homework done before dinner usually.

If he wants, he could also write up a schedule of what subject he’s doing when and once the time’s up, move on, even if he’s not done. Maybe there was a difficult math question and he wants to go over it with you. Come back to it with him later.

Also stress that if he finishes most of his homework on Friday, he has two whole days to do whatever he wants without having to cram homework in on Sunday night.

Good luck! Definitely award good behavior, but I wouldn’t nag him if he’s not doing it. Just be firm, so he knows you won’t budge on what you’ve said. Disconnect the TV if you have to. 😛

Well, I’m a teenager and I kinda just learnt time management on my own =/

Partly because I always try and work hard, and I haven’t got much else to do, plus my parents are strict, and would kill me if i didn’t get insanely good grades and etc.

Anyway, it should come naturally, if he complains that “he doesn’t have enough time to work”, then you have to consider

a) Checking what he does, and how much homework he is set by his teachers, and if it is indeed to much, talk to the teachers and/or the school.

b) What else he’s doing in his time – often, he does have enough time, it’s just be can’t be bothered, or goes with mates/plays computer games/etc. Force him to do his work, even if he stays up till 12 every night doing it.

Plus, force him to do chores again – he’ll soon catch on, and pretend every time he doesn’t want to do something that he has to work. He should have plenty of time to do chores, and homework, even if it means that he only goes out with friends 3 times a wekk instead of 4, and for 30mins less every time.

No big deal – rather work hard now then suffer the consequences later.

Basically, just check what he’s doing, make sure he does chores + homework, and reduce leisure time if he doesn’t do these things.

Your son has to learn that if he doesn’t plan things right, and misses out on certain activities and etc, it’s HIS fault. Many a time i have not been able to do the things I want, just because i had to do this or the other.

Don’t give in, it may seem like your being cruel, but tough luck to him. Life isn’t easy, and he’ll have to learn that one way or another – can’t always have your way and do what you want to do. Just be there that he WILL learn that, my parents don’t really pay much attention to my schoolwork, or anything, and so it’s luck that I’ve learn to manage time. Don’t be like my parents – help your son into life, even if it does seem like your being cruel, or he doesn’t like it.

Make him come up with a schedule, and stop nagging, especially with the holidays coming up, they will have a little free time, give him things he thing to be done before he is to enjoy other things. We learned from experience removing chores, just encourage them not to find a way of making everything fit. Maybe reducing them, or adding them back one by one. This is his schedule, that he will have to follow. Sounds cruel, but there were days my sons, missed lunch because he did not fit in their schedule. Missed fun events, or practices because they did not plan right. The biggest thing I learned is not to give in to them, your boss would not take away duties or projects because you were behind. Our children need to learn slowly that time is important. Hope it works out, I know it is frustrating