Final week just before Christmas break is a very difficult time of the year for my high school sophmore. How do you study when everyone is having Christmas parties and enjoying all the christmas events?  Easy, I don't let him go... Esh

So he hides in his room and says he's studying... Music is playing he's singing, laughing and talking to friends... This is not my definition of studying.   How do I motivate this kid?  He's too old to make him read to me and sit at the kitchen table so I can watch him do homework while I make dinner.   or is he?..

"Hey kid, why don't you come down here so I can see what you are studying?"
----no answer

"Hello? what are you working on?
--- stuff
--- Hey did you get me a snow jacket for Christmas 'cause Dad got me pants... 

"I'm not telling you... are you studying? "...
--- no but I just sent you the kind of jacket I want. 

When they were little I them figured out. .. My oldest son picked at his food and couldn't slow down long enough to take the time to eat but my youngest would sit in his highchair and play with food and have a great time eating.  As they grew I would channeled their energy into little jobs in the kitchen. ​