“My 10 year old cannot seem to focus.”
(continued)

Dear Annie,

Thanks for answering my questions.

Yes, it is very true, he has been this way from the beginning. Every year I get comments that he is distracted in class. Now I feel he is old enough to be able to control and sit and stay focused in school.

When I had a parent-teacher conference, the teacher told me that he is easily distracted in class. Very nice teacher, she said (teacher and us) we keep reminding that he need to stay still and focus in class. She also said he is a good kid. Very good manners and likes to socialize a lot.

I want to just tell him in positive way without yelling at him the moment I hear a complaint..

I have taken away his TV program during week days and hoping it will help him.

Sometimes when he finishes his work early we do not have many things to do at home. I have a 4 year old girl, it is hard to have them both do things together.

Because of winter we can't go anywhere. He plays basketball once a week. Would you suggest any family activity that all of us can play. We have started playing board games (Chutes and Ladder, Candyland).

Thanks and appreciate all your valuable comments.

10 year old's mom

Dear 10 year old's mom,

Board games are excellent! The family has enjoyable time together and the child learns about following the rules, waiting his turn, being considerate of others and focusing! Chutes and Ladders and Candyland seem rather on the young side for a bright 10 year old. I would suggest some more interesting games for his age... Mousetrap, Clue, Sorry, Yahtzee , Guess Who?, Apples to Apples. These are several that come to mind!

I hope the idea of the schedule (with breaks and lots of praise) helps. Relax a bit, smile... And watch how your son matures as he grows.

In friendship,

Annie

Read teen letters about school problems here.

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