Hi, I have a situation I was hoping to get some help with. My daughter, 15, has always done well in school (A's & B's). This year (sophomore) she is getting mostly D's and some C's. I've taken things away and talked to her but I don't seem to be getting anywhere. She says she cares, but it seems more like lip service - there are no emotions to back what she's saying. I've tried keeping a closer eye on whether she's doing her homework, but that doesn't seem to help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Erin

get a tutor. i had one when i did poorly in school. i hated it but i ended up getting really good grades. plus, that time taken away from social activities may ensure that this is serious! good luck

hey there,
i know all to well about this situation. i have 3 kids ages 7, 14, 18. they all have struggled with school from one time or another. my youngest is fortunate because he has his big brothers to help and encourage him but, my oldest son struggled with a few subjects in school so i called the local college in my town and interviewed a few students for tutoring my son. most colleges have several students that offer tutoring to help supplement their income and they are far cheaper than a proffesional tutor persay. i actually found a student that was serious with his teachings but also after he was done with the lesson he was fun and taught my son karate and played some basketball with him also. so my son really looked forward to having his tutor come over. the plus side of things is my son had developed a great friendship with his tutor.

I agree!
Check into some tutoring for her. It could be that her assignments have gotten more difficult for her; which will happen.

Have you checked out her friends? Not the ones you know of, but the "side" friends?
These are the people she hangs around that she probably figures you wouldn't necessarily agree with.
Not saying they're into things like drugs or other stuff, but I mean "messy" people, as in they keep rumors and silly things going and b/c your daughter is with them, other kids in school think she's the same way.

I've walked up in school on one of my kids and learned that there were some girls that were hanging around some of the kids she knew, and there was always a load of mess going on.

I told my daughter to separate herself from all the mess that's going on because it's draining her concentration and she was spending more time on trying to "straighten out" a big mess (that "he said/she said" stuff) than doing her work.
Also, see if you daughter has a boyfriend.
That will take up her time and attention.

Don't worry. Your daughter will bring her grades back up.

A kid that always had good grades and is suddenly slipping grades in more that one class has more problems than just needing a tutor. The tutor is fine but this sounds more mentally related. The body changes and new things that happen around that age are interfering with her concentration. She is going to need a lot of love and support and talking to get to the root of it all. She could have a broken heart, not feeling like she's fittting in etc. You really need to get her to open up. If she doesn't feel comfortable talking to you maybe a family therapist. Teen suicide is very high. You need to put a lot of attention to this. Her grades dropping is a warning sign. Do not tell her anything about the teen suicide thing. It will scare her.

Hi I am a Senior in high school and I saw this and wanted to comment since I have experience. Although commonsense has many good points all true, it could also be because the subjects are getting harder, I dont know where you live but where I live, in 10th grade: you have teachers hammering you because SATs are soon, and all these big tests are coming up soon that "decide your future" , another thing you are not a "freshhhy" anymore, you start being friends with other people; older people and learning new things like how to "ditch class" without being caught. Lastly, the school counselor - i dont know about hers- but i know mine presssureess me so much I would be better off without her, I slipped up in 10th grade to (no drugs, no anything like that), and i am not putting this all on my teachers and counselor but they certainly did not help AT ALL, they kept making every test seem like it was my future. So I hope this helped a little, because yes it could be something more serious, but I bet its just S T R E S S & growing up in a place of drama, and girls who talk about every little thing you do, and of course the boys. Maybe all she needs is to learn how to relax, tell her you are there for her and tell her its not the enddddd of the world, my mom really helped me by doing that, when I slipped up she didnt take things away that just adds to the stress, start giving something back and telling her ur there for her, tell her she needs to study and do well but counselors make it seem 10 times worse!