Photo by Agnieszka Bladzik

Sitting by a warm fire.
Drinking coffee.
In my jammies.

Jealous?

Don’t be. I just don’t feel like doing anything today.

I have my lazy turned up to high.

Since I am not characterized by being lazy, my family is simply pleasantly surprised that I am “chilling”. They are curled up with books or movies in this same room. Heaven.

When dinner comes around, I will not win friends and influence people if I say, “I forgot to make dinner” though will I? Not in my house full of men. They want to eat:).

Laziness is one of those strange things. It is so appealing on a rainy afternoon, like today as I write this. But laziness to the point that responsibilities are neglected is simply intolerable.

photo by Seth Doyle

Now three things personify laziness:
A male lion lazing in the shade,
An overfed house cat,
And a 12-year-old boy.

So how do we Homeschool a LAZY 12-year-old boy?

(moms of girls, you’ll have to let me know if these truths are universal)

The first thing I will share with you is that NO ONE has all the answers you need except the Lord.

I do have some practical things to share with you, but they are foundational truth’s.
I wish there was a list of  “4 steps to having obedient, cheerful, selfless, and hardworking children”.

Oh, there are lists. But most of them belong in the garbage can. Let’s get started.

First, get in sync with your husband

If there is any division between you at all, prioritize your marriage.
Homeschooling can be a wrecking ball to a marriage when mom is frustrated about being frustrated and dad tries to help.

My husband does not help me with ‘day to day’ homeschool, but he is the one that helps me see the Big Picture.

It took me years of dying to myself before I was willing to listen to his counsel. I’m embarrassed to admit that, but I want to be honest with you.

Second, Watch this scene from Captain America with your son.

Seriously watch that scene from Captain America with your son and explain that this is the season of life he is in. God is going to transform him from his 12-year-old self into a Godly man if he is fully committed and trusts Him. There will be struggles, there will be battles, but you believe in him and are looking forward to the day the capsule steams open and your Godly Man-Son emerges.

Third, Apologize to your son for allowing him to be lazy.

Tell him, with a humble heart, that you are committed to raising him in excellence. You have made the mistake of allowing laziness to creep in.
Confess your own laziness.

Assure him that you are committed to teaching him to be diligent, hardworking, kind, obedient, etc… and will simplify his life as much as necessary to allow him to concentrate on mastering those qualities.

Promise him that you will not allow things and activities to hinder his ability to do first things first. If he is struggling with laziness, you and your husband will begin stripping things out of his life until he has overcome laziness. (suggestions: tv, video games, computer time, toys, bedroom doors, team sports, extra-curricular activities, etc). Mama, you need to mean it.

Because you are making a fresh start, do not remove anything yet, unless there is something obvious that needs to go.

He will fail in about 32-minutes because he is 12, so you will need to remind him that you are no longer allowing _______________ (attitude, laziness, etc.) and it looks like he has too many distractions.

Forth: Establish Your Homeschooling Goals

I am going to assume that you are like I was.

You know what grade the kids are in, you have teaching materials or curriculum, but you do not have a list of fundamental goals that define your homeschooling.

My fundamental homeschool goals, the goals that I run all activities, learning experiences and curriculum through before they come into my house (Unless I get lazy) are:

1. Share our faith with our five boys.
2. Make sure they master their basic math facts (some of my kids did not do this until 8th grade. That’s ok)
3. Instill a love for reading. My kids will be readers and I will expose them to excellent literature. In this day and age, you can do anything if you can read, but you can’t do a thing if you can’t.
4. Train them to be excellent communicators: Both written and oral. I have five sons. I have made sure that I incorporate public speaking so they will not faint if they have to deliver and sermon or business presentation when they are grown.

Are you overwhelmed?

Don’t be.

I would encourage you to grab a copy of my homeschool guide by clicking the image below.

I send out a spoonful of homeschooling goal setting, planning, encouragement, wisdom and what not to do’s a little at a time.

More resources about Homeschooling 12-year-old boys:

Emotional Boys: What’s a Mom to Do?
Master Chore List: Because 12-year olds need to sweat
Raising Independent Learners: Raise the bar and teach them to be organized!
My Son Almost Died Today
Dad’s Role in Homeschooling
Download your FREE “Raising Men” Cheatsheet {printable}

Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class.

We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets.

Enroll in the sneak peek class here.