<p>Olymom… I remember our kids studying all week, going to practices and participating in what seemed like 20 activities between the four of them. They knew that Saturday was a day that we would rise at 5:00 with a great lunch, and snacks packed, and head for the ski slopes. We did this since the oldest was in the third grade. We never gave our kids money for their grades but we acknowledged their determination and long hours spent on academics. We did this all through school, until the two middle kids reached jr year and drove with their sister to the slopes. Those ski days gave them so much to look forward to and the bonding and trust that developed was immeasurable.</p>
<p>If you want your children to work hard, than they need to see how you, the parent, values the work that they do. I remember each of my kids working extra hard all week just to have that free Saturday with the outdoors and their parents…great memories. To this day the three older kids do the same thing while in college. They all ski on Saturday, and Sunday is back to their books. </p>
<p>One of my sons had said during break that the greatest gifts are experiential, the kind that create the memories. I agree with the poster who said that even if the grades don’t measure up to your expectations don’t stop the activities. It will be these days that will bond you and your son and it gives you all the opportunity to talk and think about his future together. Car rides and hiking are great times to talk to teens.</p>