DS needs to choose a novel for 10 page paper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"If a little introspection doesn't ring true, and you really believe that his life will truly be 'ruined' by this assignment if you don't start it for him (that's what you are doing... don't kid yourself), then suggest the Steve Jobs bio"

Um, OP says novel in the title of the thread.

I think the Jobs book is a great idea.

And I totally get the OP. We have conversations with our HS age kids about things like research paper topics. I don't consider that doing the work for them (in fact we don't even see their papers), but really just brainstorming ideas with them. I think this is a useful role for a parent, especially for kids in big public high schools where the teacher may not have the opportunity to have this discussion with the 150+ kids they are teaching.

[Anonymous]

You are a self righteous, mean person. Are you a teacher? I hope and pray not. If so, you sound like the type that would screw a kid over during a critical semester, when clearly he's under enormous pressure to succeed. You sound like an exacting, punishing, little jerk who thinks she is better and more dedicated to her parenting, work, life, etc than everyone around her. People like you make the world a miserable place.

Not everyone, OP. Just you.

[Anonymous]

Oh f$#% off PP, you clearly don't get laid enough that you need to post crap like that.

[Anonymous]

This has been one of the more entertaining DCUM posts of late. But honestly a couple thoughts, I went to college more than 20 years ago with a girl that was very smart but she did not turn in a paper in college without her father reviewing it. When she hit grad school she fell apart because the workflow shifted in a way that did not let her father review her writing. It was not that she couldn't do it, it was the fact that she lacked confidence. Posters mean or nice that are saying that it is critical that your son have some confidence are not wrong. It gets a lot more expensive to experience failure in college than high school.

But another thing that has struck me is the assignment itself. Honestly the criteria for analytical literature assingment is for the assignment to reflect your personal life, not to expand your horizons. That just sounds lame to me. I can see having an issue about that.

[Anonymous]

Feed by MT Anderson. He could compare this book to 1984. (I am a school librarian)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I think the Jobs book is a great idea.

And I totally get the OP. We have conversations with our HS age kids about things like research paper topics. I don't consider that doing the work for them (in fact we don't even see their papers), but really just brainstorming ideas with them. I think this is a useful role for a parent, especially for kids in big public high schools where the teacher may not have the opportunity to have this discussion with the 150+ kids they are teaching.

Thanks. That was my contribution. If OP tells him about it I hope he gets an A and is inspired to think big.

However, I think the overwhelming response criticizing OP is not that she's suggesting brainstorming with her son. That's a wonderful idea and no one here would argue against that. (except perhaps the PP's who refuse to keep it civil; but they aren't providing advice, just picking fights) Rather, she's concerned that he's having an early struggle with topic selection and wants to give him the answer rather than help him through the winnowing process. There's a world of difference between the following conversations...

Son: "Mom, I can't think of a book to write a stupid 10 page paper about. It's supposed to reflect my life, but nothing I know of is as awesome as me."
Mom: "You're hilarious. But seriously, What do you think are actual things about yourself that you would like to write about?"
Son: "I don't know."
Mom: "It's a hard decision when it's so open ended. How about this. What is something you do well?"
Son: "I'm good at having great ideas then seeing them through to profitability."
Mom: "How about talking to your teacher or librarian about books they can suggest that reflect entrepreneurship."
Son: "Um. No way. My teacher is a vindictive ass and is trying to sabotage my most critical semester."
Mom: "Well, you'll have to really wow her then. Some other time let's explore what you might be doing to trigger such vitriol. For now, how about trying a google search for terms that you feel reflect you + books, and see what comes up?"
Son: "That's really obvious. I should have thought of that myself. Thanks for talking it through. I'll let you know if I don't find something I like in the next few days and perhaps we can talk through other ideas."
Mom: "No problem Beaver. BTW... you talk like an adult trying not to sound like a nerd. Cut it out."
Son: "Thanks Mom."


Son: "Mom, I can't think of a book to write a stupid 10 page paper about. It's supposed to reflect my life, but nothing I know of is as awesome as me."
Mom: "You are very awesome. No question about it. I always want you to feel that way, so I've always protected you from struggle."
Son: "Huh?. Whatever. What book do I pick?"
Mom: "What list of books did your teacher give you to choose from? I'll choose one for you."
Son: "That's the problem, there isn't a list, so I don't know what to do. I'm worried if I don't pick something soon I'll put it off until last minute because I don't like working through tough situations."
Mom: "I'll ask the internet to solve this and get back to you with an answer. Don't worry son. DCUM will come to my rescue because everyone will feel my stress and instantly relate to my world view."
{a day later}
Son: "So, what did the internet tell me to do?"
Mom: "You're good at science, math and entrepreneurship. I think you should read the Steve Jobs biography and write about how he inspires those gifts of yours I just told you that you have and you now believe."
Son: "Awesome. There's a ton of info about the book on the internet so I won't even have to read the whole thing. Can you buy me a kindle fire?"
Mom: "I'll ask DCUM if it's OK, but only to seek public approval for my choices."

[Anonymous]

God damn some of you are such bitches! Yes it's DCUM but come on! OP is a mom who wanted some freaking ideas... Not to write the god damn paper. She cares about her son doing well. Who knows if he would even use her suggestions.

OP I'm sorry you received such bullshit mean posts. I think you are a caring mom trying to help her soon. Goodluck on finding a book.

[Anonymous]

OP here, 19:18 way to spend so much time typing out that nonsense. All I did with the ten or so suggestions for DS was email them to him, mention I emailed them to him and then we all just talked over pros and cons of some of them over dinner. Not sure what he wound up deciding on and what the thesis will be. It was due today, so clearly I didn't do the work for him. Thanks for over reacting bitches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, 19:18 way to spend so much time typing out that nonsense. All I did with the ten or so suggestions for DS was email them to him, mention I emailed them to him and then we all just talked over pros and cons of some of them over dinner. Not sure what he wound up deciding on and what the thesis will be. It was due today, so clearly I didn't do the work for him. Thanks for over reacting bitches.

DCUM - It's better than TV!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, 19:18 way to spend so much time typing out that nonsense. All I did with the ten or so suggestions for DS was email them to him, mention I emailed them to him and then we all just talked over pros and cons of some of them over dinner. Not sure what he wound up deciding on and what the thesis will be. It was due today, so clearly I didn't do the work for him. Thanks for over reacting bitches.

Actually I think 19:18 was trying to be constructive, and you are the one over-reacting.

A high school senior should be capable of doing that entire assignment from start to finish without help. If he needs support, then you should do it in a way that helps develop his capabilities not by being his research intern.

[Anonymous]

Adults take shortcuts, get input and support all the time, why not extend the same courtesy to kids. A lot of teens are super stressed and feel a lot of pressure... a mom offering some book ideas isn't dooming them to a life of dependence. Her son more than likely is capable, just like I am capable of walking the 6 miles to work each day, I just choose an easier way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, 19:18 way to spend so much time typing out that nonsense. All I did with the ten or so suggestions for DS was email them to him, mention I emailed them to him and then we all just talked over pros and cons of some of them over dinner. Not sure what he wound up deciding on and what the thesis will be. It was due today, so clearly I didn't do the work for him. Thanks for over reacting bitches.

Actually I think 19:18 was trying to be constructive, and you are the one over-reacting.

A high school senior should be capable of doing that entire assignment from start to finish without help. If he needs support, then you should do it in a way that helps develop his capabilities not by being his research intern.

Here's an idea. When you have a 17 year, how about you provide the level of support that you feel necessary at the time? Do you have any book recommendations?

[Anonymous]

A Confederacy of Dunces
The Boy Who Harassed the Wind

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, 19:18 way to spend so much time typing out that nonsense. All I did with the ten or so suggestions for DS was email them to him, mention I emailed them to him and then we all just talked over pros and cons of some of them over dinner. Not sure what he wound up deciding on and what the thesis will be. It was due today, so clearly I didn't do the work for him. Thanks for over reacting bitches.

Actually I think 19:18 was trying to be constructive, and you are the one over-reacting.

A high school senior should be capable of doing that entire assignment from start to finish without help. If he needs support, then you should do it in a way that helps develop his capabilities not by being his research intern.

Here's an idea. When you have a 17 year, how about you provide the level of support that you feel necessary at the time? Do you have any book recommendations?

Actually I already gave my suggestion, but you know when I have a 17 year old you can be sure that whatever support I provide won't take the form of me logging onto DCUM to ask people for help with my kid's homework.

Also I don't really get how this is a "critical" semester for grades-- seems to me for most kids it's about the least critical semester in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, 19:18 way to spend so much time typing out that nonsense. All I did with the ten or so suggestions for DS was email them to him, mention I emailed them to him and then we all just talked over pros and cons of some of them over dinner. Not sure what he wound up deciding on and what the thesis will be. It was due today, so clearly I didn't do the work for him. Thanks for over reacting bitches.

OP, what title did your DS select?