I can see why so many of us default into the belief that discipline exists in its most powerful form when set within a paradigm of rule enforcement and punishment. Much of our reality is based on the reward-and-punishment system.
As the former dean of a high school in Miami for nearly two decades, I, myself fell victim to that way of thinking. Maybe it was those four years I spent in military school marching back and forth in the snow, or maybe it was all that yelling and growling that had everyone walking a straight line.
But as we all know, maturity, especially with regard to one’s perspective, takes time. At least it took me some time. And with that maturity came a wider lens—not only relating to discipline, but to motivation as well. I could see in my own school who was thriving and who was not. And my perspective gave me more—because I had more to work with. Knowing the kids and their parents personally made for a balanced equation in my mind. I could literally trace so many kids’ trajectories toward success or failure based on one simple word: consistency.
So often, we tell kids one thing and do another. It happens all the time. I have even found myself telling someone not to do something–as I was literally doing the exact same thing. And so often, we tell kids to do their homework or to study—and many of them (are you ready?)………..DON’T KNOW HOW TO STUDY!!! The COVID-19 Pandemic did NOT help that. Now that the entire delivery system for education is changing in real time, kids will be expected to adapt in unforgiving ways.
Kids need clarity; we all do–but kids need clarity from us. As adults, we should be able to work toward clarity as a mindset and a goal. And as adults, we have had enough experiences to discern what is worth our attention and what isn’t. But with kids, it’s different. They often lack the background knowledge or experience to decide what is relevant and what matters—and sometimes, that plays out in their academic lives.
I am 54. I was not a great student as a kid (remember…military school). I’m much better now (don’t worry). What I can tell you from personal experience is that telling kids that don’t do their homework to DO their homework—DOESN’T work. In fact, they already know that they need to do it, and telling them that just reaffirms that shortcoming for them—over and over and over—and with each iteration of that dynamic, a kid’s self-esteem plummets.
Throughout my career, I cannot tell you how many kids I had to meet with who were facing summer school, academic probation, or expulsion for bad grades. I have observed dozens of different methods to get those kids on track fail. It was hard to watch because the kids themselves felt bad about their inability to succeed.
Having tutored almost 6,000 kids through my private practice, I have developed a remarkably effective way to stop that miserable cycle. We created Leading and Learning’s Shepherding program as a direct response to those countless children who cannot seem to get on track. What makes the program so impactful is that we operate on positive energy and results. When a kid gets an A, they will want another. And that’s what Shepherding does—it shows how success is contagious in all the best ways.
Reach out today and let us shepherd your child through the storm–we can help end the cycle of failure and arguments. We can discuss tangible, effective ways to move your child in the right direction in ways that will carry them through their entire education and adulthood. The job is to empower your kids now and for the journey—and we are remarkably good at that.
