At Sundance Canyon Academy, we hear from a lot of parents who are curious whether or not a bootcamp will help their lazy teen or tween. We are writing on the topic today to highlight the pros and cons of choosing a bootcamp to help your teen or tween stop being lazy and start being more proactive.
Having a lazy kid can be so frustrating! You give them a list of chores to do, but when you come home, nothing has been done. Dishes are left all over the house. Their room is a mess. It seems like nagging or yelling is the only thing that motivates them, but then you’re both left frustrated.
Why can’t they get their chores done without constant supervision?
Some kids have an aptitude for seeing what needs to be done and doing it. Others would rather lay around all day or play video games.
If you’ve got a lazy teen or tween who seems to lack internal motivation, it’s time to address the issue. Kids who don’t learn to overcome their laziness grow into lazy adults. Though it can be challenging to teach kids how to be motivated, it’s worth the headache in the long run.
Can boot camps help lazy kids?
Some parents choose to send their kids to a teen boot camp to help whip them into shape. These schools tend to have very strict schedules and regiments designed to teach structure to unruly kids.
Much like a military boot camp, the kids start at a low rank and have to work their way up. If they don’t adhere to the schedule and the rules, they face punishments like extra workouts and menial tasks.
While boot camps and military schools can be great for some kids, they’re not helpful for others. Kids who aspire to a career in a field like the military do well in a boot camp setting. Not only do they learn structure and get in better shape, but they are better prepared for their future career path.
So, if your lazy teen has hopes of joining the service, he might do well by spending some time at a military school or teen boot camp.
Other kids don’t do as well at military schools or boot camps. Yes, they learn to follow the structure and obey the commands from their instructors. However, this doesn’t help them when they return home. If a kid only learns to stop being lazy under the threat of punishment, they can go right back to being lazy when they get back home.
Some kids also aren’t emotionally ready for the complete change in day-to-day life. Younger kids who have just reached puberty have many changes going on inside their bodies, and the massive shift in expectations can throw them for a loop.
While boot camp for a lazy 12-year-old boy might seem like an excellent way to prepare him for high school, it might do more harm than good.
Addressing your kid’s laziness
If you don’t think that boot camp will help your kid, there are a few strategies that you can try at home to help them develop motivation.
These strategies are beneficial if your kid is entering puberty and has started developing a lazy streak.
Create a schedule. Having a schedule can help lazy kids learn how to manage their time. Lots of teens and tweens struggle with time management and prioritization. Having a set schedule helps them learn to focus on their priorities before they start relaxing.
Link consequences to the schedule. Create consequences that your kid will care about and link them to the schedule. Does your kid seem to only care about video games? Link his video game privileges to whether or not he follows the schedule.
Help him set goals. A lot of kids are lazy because they don’t see how their actions will affect their goals. Help him set goals and realize how his actions affect those goals. Does he have a goal to get in trouble less often? Then completing his chores on time will help him meet that goal.
Get additional help. For teens and tweens with behavioral disorders or learning disabilities like ADD and ADHD, time management and goal setting are extra hard. If your kid has a tough time completing his chores without supervision, he may need additional help.
Teens with mental health concerns are more likely to benefit from a therapeutic boarding school than boot camp. While at the school, they both learn how to follow a set structure and receive life skills training that applies to their needs.
By learning to set goals and maintain a structure on their own, students are more prepared for returning to regular life outside of school. Contact us today for more information about our school.