I've been lurking here for a while and decided to start a blog of my own. Lucky for me, first post is actually about something positive!

So, DH received a phone call a couple weeks ago from SD11's science teacher in which they discussed SD's poor homework performance. She explained that the assignments were being turned in, but that it is clear SD does not have a clear understanding of the subject material. Either that or she is not spending enough time on homework. SD11 has been struggling with science as long as I've known her and we've had countless meetings with her teachers over homework. I discussed this with a friend who has stepchildren of her own, and she suggested that I take the punishment route; meaning, no videogames, television, or hanging out with friends until her homework grade improves.

While SD does spend a significant amount of time sitting in front of the TV, I decided to take a different route this time. I sat her down and asked her about her science class, like if there was anything about it that was bothering her. She told me that she doesn't really understand the way her teacher explains things and that because of that, she has become more interested in reading and history (which is evident in her significantly better work performance in these areas). So, since there was a sale on tickets for the local children's science discovery museum in the area, I decided to take her out one afternoon, just me and her to try and spark her interest Even I learned a lot and had a great time at the museum, and I couldn't STAND science all throughout school. She was fascinated with the dinosaur and marine exhibits, and even the tour guides were impressed with the insightful questions she had. It felt good to have her so engaged in a subject she was struggling with. She even asked if we could go to museums more often together, which I think is great because they're usually free or relatively cheap, and educational. It was also a big step in our relationship because she has struggled a lot with her parents' divorce and a lot of resentment has been directed my way.

Later that day, DH and I found her up in her room, television off, reading over a magazine her teacher had given her for an assignment about dinosaurs. I personally liked this choice better because my goal is to show SD the greatness of learning new things, not just because we expect her to do well in our household, but because learning itself is a great experience. She didn't choose reading over television because we forced her; she chose because she herself was interested in learning something new.

DH and I later ended up helping her out with a project/presentation on the process of how fossils are created, and just learned that this morning that her teacher asked if she could keep the project to present to future classes because SD did such a good job. Couldn't be more proud of her!