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Student Not Motivated? Neither Are the Parents

Being a tutor is really as much about being a mentor as it is about teaching fundamental academic lessons. When you’re teaching a student whose parents are unwilling to assist with their child’s education—or are too willing to excuse the student from meeting tutoring homework deadlines—it can become challenging. However, there are several techniques you can employ to manage the situation effectively.

1. Speak to the Parents with Care

The most important thing is to approach the parents without sounding confrontational. In order to do this, you’ll need to carefully consider your words and plan your message to ensure you convey your concerns without offending them.

  • Think about your approach: You can be assertive and highlight all the benefits of tuition when the parents participate, but remember to stay diplomatic. Avoid language that could be misconstrued. For example, it’s better to explain how much more progress could be made with their help rather than saying “most parents help out.”

2. Become Actively Involved

At each lesson, whether it’s once a week or biweekly, always ask about upcoming exams or assignments—even an approximation of dates is helpful. You could also offer your email address for additional contact if the student needs help between lessons. The key is to stay involved and manage the student’s progress.

This also ties into helping the student stay organized. For tips on organizing your students, check out this helpful post: Helping Students Be Organized

3. Lead by Example When Parents Are Uninvolved

If the parents are unwilling to assist at all, it’s up to you to set a positive example by adhering to time constraints, completing work, and emphasizing the importance of doing your best. Have a mature conversation with the student about your role and how you can truly help them achieve their goals. Engage with them about what they want from tuition and show them the potential results when they put in the effort. 💪

4. Engage with the Teacher (If Necessary)

Sometimes, it can be helpful to speak to the student’s teacher. If the teacher understands the situation, it can provide you with additional support in monitoring the student’s progress. This might also help persuade the parents to become more involved. Just remember to get the necessary consent before doing this.

5. Accept Your Role as a Tutor

It’s your responsibility to help the student, even if they aren’t particularly motivated and the parents aren’t offering support. Every student is different, so you’ll need to get creative in finding ways to engage them. Ultimately, every student wants to do well in life; it’s just a matter of finding the right approach to unlock their potential. 🎯

  • Be patient: It might take several weeks or more to figure out which approach works best with each student. But persistence pays off!

For additional tips, read this post: Dealing with Complacent Parents