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<p>I agree completely. One of the best things about my kids’ schools is the comments that teachers have to write about the students. While my younger D is a solid B student there is a great deal of pride in reading she consistently tries to raise the level of her work, is a positive influence in the class and has her homework done on time. It is very difficult to be the younger sibling of a kid that to whom school and academics come relatively easily. I try to be sensitive when we tell the honors kid that he could be working harder when the younger isn’t in honors but is a hard working and serious student none the less.</p>
<p>As for bribes… that wasn’t in the cards because for one, I have always believed that doing well should be internally motivated. However, whomever said that one kid never needed bribes and one couldn’t be bribed has probably more accurately described our situation between all three of our kids. Mostly, we have always just rewarded effort, because all you can ever ever do is your best. And by reward that means added freedoms, more trusting in how they balance their time, staying off their backs about checking facebook, or playing any kind of video games. I have watched my younger D work her tail off and cry over getting the C on the exam when she honestly thought she had done far better. How can I ever demand A’s from someone who consistently gives it her all.</p>
<p>As I like to say… everyone has issues and while academics may be her brother’s strength, she has strengths that he only wishes he had and he is proud of her in a myriad of ways. That seems to help because she adores him completely.</p>