Case: Working with adolescent boy and his mother on improving his academics and behavior. Mom is not proactive in working with her son to improve. She says that he has to "take responsibility for his actions."
Question: How do we motivate mom to work with her son and motivate the adolescent boy to improve his grades and behavior?
Class Suggestions:
1) Use strengths perspective with boy: Make sure to highlight the things he is good at and encourage mom to recognize his strengths instead of always focusing on his challenges.
2) Use the 4 corner tool (Alvarez): Mom will fill out the tool for herself to identify her strengths and stressors. Child will then complete a 4 corner tool for his own strengths and stressors. Compare the 2 to see overlap and differences. Make changes around these areas.
3) Use Motivational Enhancement with mom: Ask what she wants to see changed. Also have mom detail a 24 hour weekday and weekend day and see what part is most stressful for her. Suggest change around most stressful area to increase motivation and then work from there.
4) Maximize time spent together: In order to improve the relationship between mom and boy, find ways to make the time they have to spend together more supportive and fulfilling.
5) Provide alternative discipline methods for mom to try to motivate son.
I think these situations are always tough when parents place all the responsibility of learning on their children. In this situation, I would try to work with the youth, and find ways to encourage him to focus on his education. I would want to know more about his peer supports, and see how his peers feel about education. Also, I would look for mentorship outside the home.
ReplyDeleteIn reading and reflecting on this case, I wonder whether mom feels comfortable with and empowered to engage with her son about his school work. Sometimes, parents will disengage with children about their work if they don't feel like they have the skills to effectively assist their child with homework or engage with teachers about class content. In situations like this, it could be helpful to work with mom on her perceived efficacy in this area and share strategies that may not involve direct engagement with school content (e.g., creating structures with the teacher to regularly update her on son's grades, helping mom determine where her son can find tutoring assistance).
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