Table of Contents
Introduction xi
1 Why Boys Struggle With Organization And Time Management 1
Challenge 1 The Reality of Multi-Tasking 4
Challenge 2 The Parent Crutch 6
Challenge 3 he Lure of Technology 8
Challenge 4 Sleep Deprivation 9
Challenge 5 The Crippling Fear of the Unwise Choice 10
How This Book Can Help 12
Summary 13
2 Approach And Attitude: How Parents Factor Into The Equation 15
Creating the Positive Foundation 17
Have Cooperative Collaborative Meetings 19
You Are Not Alone: Seek Like-Minded Friends 19
Avoid Competitive Parenting 21
Bribery, Humiliation, and Negotiation Do Not Work 23
Your Son Does Care (He Just May Not Want You to Know It) 25
Make a Fresh Start and Just Let It Go 26
Accept Your Child for Who He Really Is 28
Let Him Take Ownership of His Successes and Mistakes 30
Summary 32
3 Identifying Your Son's (Dis) Organizational Style 33
The Over-Scheduled Procrastinator 34
The Scattered Charmer 36
The Tech Master 38
The Seriously Struggling Student 40
The Creative Wonder 42
The Intellectual Conversationalist 45
The Sincere Slacker 47
The Seemingly Satisfied Underachiever 49
Summary 52
4 Setting Academic And Personal Goals 55
His Dreams, His Goals 58
Three Academic and Three Personal Goals: Measurable and Specific 61
Why Setting Goals Is My Favorite Part of My Work 70
Summary 71
5 Binders, Planners, And Other Essential Tools 75
The Elusive and All-Important Key: An Organized Binder 76
Creating Organized Binders 82
Organizing Binders After the Grading Period Is Complete 88
The Other Essential: Planners 89
The Wired Challenge: PDAs and Online Homework 91
Summary 93
6 Creating SpaceFor Success: A Place To Study 97
Beware of the Bedroom 98
Effective Study Spaces 102
What If the Bedroom is the Only Option? 108
Creating That Home Space: Supplies and Other Necessities 109
Final Thoughts 110
Summary 111
7 Scheduling Homework to Manage time Effectively 113
Study Habits That Work and Free Up Time 115
Summary 127
8 Strategies For Quizzes, Tests, Projects, And Finals 129
Proactive vs. Reactive 131
Designate Break Times 133
Active vs. Passive Learning 133
How to Handle Quizzes 134
The Indispensable Flash Card 138
Big Tests 139
A Word About Test Anxiety 141
Long-Term Projects 145
Writing Essays 148
Studying for Finals 153
Final Thoughts 155
Summary 155
9 Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: Helping Your Son De-Stress, Recharge, And Grow 161
Diet and Nutrition 162
Exercise and Sleep 167
Healthy Motivations Outside the Classroom 174
Emotional Balance 180
The Problem of Over-Scheduling 184
Summary 192
10 Special Considerations: Students With Learning Differences 195
The Particular Challenge of Parental Over-Involvement 197
The Psychological Fallout of Learning Difficulties 204
Creating the Right Set of Accommodations 207
Summary 216
11 Special Considerations: Single Parent/Guardian, Separation/Divorce, And Two Households 219
Household Transitions Can Cause Major Upheaval 220
Separation and Divorce 222
With Divorce, Focus on the Parenting Plan 225
Two-Household Challenges 227
Tips for Two-Household Families 230
Summary 235
12 Special Considerations :Illness 237
Short Term Illness: Cold, Flu, Strep, and Other Ailments 238
Chronic, Long-Term, and Life-Threatening Illnesses 246
When a Parent/Family Member is Sick or Dies 256
Summary 261
13 Implementing The Strategies 263
Sample Five-Week Strategy 265
Acknowledgments 269
Recommended Reading List 271
Sources 273
List Of Worksheets 275
Index 277
