<p>Move the laptop from the bedroom to the kitchen table. Sometimes a new location can help you with new habits. </p>
<p>Make a list of everything that needs to be done and post it in the kitchen for all to see. Ouch! Tell parents your plan for tonight and tomorrow. Stick with that much. </p>
<p>Go to What on Earth and order the T shirt “I put the PRO in Procrastinate” as a reward. </p>
<p>Know that this is very typical for your age group. It’s kind of like playing with fire – it’s fun until you get burned or something even more horrific happens. </p>
<p>And, I have to disagree with those that don’t see family vacations during the school year as a big deal. They DO cause headaches for teachers – in part because the same parents who are taking off ALSO want their darling babies to be earning A’s and not impacting college apps. So the teachers have to take time to make up homework packs and more time to give make up tests. They also have to deal with the student in class when he/she has that blank look because they missed so many lectures and demonstrations. </p>
<p>I can see missing the occasional Monday or Friday – but more than that and the PARENTS should be falling all over themselves to support the teaching staff. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that some places (Florida?) are starting to link teacher pay and retention to student test scores – so students with high absentee rates could be directly impacting that teacher’s career.</p>