DS 13 Organization Failure - Need Quick Opinions!

[Anonymous]

DS 13 is still struggling with organizing his schoolwork, sports equipment, etc. We handle this probably too inconsistently, with a mix of helpful reminders and leaving him on his own to get his things together, and suffer the consequences when he does not.

He has an after school game today and I just found important equipment in the family room. He can't play without it.

We had a hectic morning with DH leaving for a business trip. I do remember last night asking him if he had his uniform packed and he said yes. I did not mention anything this morning before he left.

Do I take it to him?

[Anonymous]

Is this the first time? Then yes. I always give them one freebie.

[Anonymous]

No, it's not the first time.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I should clarify. It's the first time he's forgotten this particular item for this particular sport/ team, but definitely not the first time he's forgotten something that he needs for a sport.

[Anonymous]

If you are able to take it, take it.

[Anonymous]

He needs to make checklists and actually check things off.

[Anonymous]

I would if I could, just like I would for DH.

[Anonymous]

Take it. I forget stuff, ofcourse my kids are going to forget stuff. They do pretty well overall, and so do I, but we help each other out when we can.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all!

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely take it to my kid. Presumably he works hard at the sport, participating in the sport is good for him, and he's a member of team that is counting on his participation.

Deal with the organization issues separately.

[Anonymous]

I would take it to him and use this as the catalyst to get things sorted out. Not sometimes, but always. It must be habitual for you and him.

[Anonymous]

Yes, be decent and take it.

[Anonymous]

I also would take it to him (you will get a call anyway,right?). Going forward, he needs a plan. Make him generate a list of what items he needs on a sports day. Then, the night before, ask him if he has his bag packed, and did he consult his list. After he swears he has EVERYTHING, check the bag. Make it a game. Enjoy, it's a boy/kid thing. Repeat the list for the backpack.

[Anonymous]

This is 12:42 and yes, I would (and have) take it to him, but start having him make checklists so he gets better at organization. Hell, I am 41 yo and I make checklists for important things where I cannot forget an item.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS 13 is still struggling with organizing his schoolwork, sports equipment, etc. We handle this probably too inconsistently, with a mix of helpful reminders and leaving him on his own to get his things together, and suffer the consequences when he does not.

He has an after school game today and I just found important equipment in the family room. He can't play without it.

We had a hectic morning with DH leaving for a business trip. I do remember last night asking him if he had his uniform packed and he said yes. I did not mention anything this morning before he left.

Do I take it to him?

OK I'm going to be in the minority here but had this problem myself. First you wait for him to call. Second you tell him you can bring it but not until after the game starts ir not at all if you are iut doing something else. Be sympathetic. I did this twice and DD hasn't forgotten anything for over a year. It's not meant to be mean. If it's a consistent problem you are not helping DC find a solution if you take care of it.