My daughter entered middle school in September 2007 (6th grade). She has ADHD and a mood disorder, so elementary school was a challenge. She is very bright, but didn't take responsibility for her work, and had some social issues. We were anxious about this 6th grade transition. Well, she had done fabulous all 4 marking periods! This latest report card was 3 A's, 1 B, and all high behavior and effort ratings !!!!! We are so proud. We want to reward her with something, but not with gifts/money. I was thinking a weekend at a water park hotel. Please give me some suggestions.
Thank you everybody for the great suggestions. I'm not creative so I really appreciate the different ideas. I am going to do something special with her and a girlfriend, and send an "announcement" out about her great year at school so she can get some cards back from friends and family. Thanks again
I think rewarding her is a wonderful idea... but keep in mind, you have other children as well and they need to be acknowledged for their accomplishments as well. There is a waterpark hotel in Grand Rapids that is wonderful. It is the Holiday Inn Express South on Clay Ave. A little pricey but a wonderful treat for the whole family. Have fun!!
Judy,
My son was a 6th grader this year too and he has struggled academically all the way thru school although he is a very hard worker. This year he made the honor roll for the first time and my mom (this was a total suprise to me) called quite a few friends and relatives and they all sent him a congratulatory card. He loved getting all the mail and was very pleased with the well wishes. Just thought I would pass this along, as he seemed so touched by it.
How about Cedar Point or Michigan advanture? The water hotel is good too.
i'm sure anything you do she will love and remember forever. when i was a kid i was always on the honor roll (minus one marking period) and my siblings who were not got more attention for their not-so-great grades than i did for trying my hardest. showing her how much her hard work means to you will mean a lot to her and teach her that accomplishing something feels good.
good for her! (and you!)
The hotel waterpark is a great idea. I would also suggest as a mother of 4, that it just be you, dad and your daughter if possible. Or just you and her. There is nothing greater than one on one time especially when it is not often that they get it. I have a 16 yr old and triplets who will be 6 next weekend. We just started marble jars, they get marbles for doing daily jobs and such. When they fill their jar they get to pick something to do with just me or daddy. I took my daughter swimming for 2 hours and was told it was the greatest day of her life. :)
PS There is also a hotel/waterpark in Dundee (towards Toledo just off 23 by Cabella's) and one in one of the hotels in Frankenmouth.
Dear Judy H.,
We are raising a granddaughter with some of the same health/behavioral issues as your daughter. I asked her what would be a good gift for your daughter and her answer was "take her to the circus." So my interpretation as the grandma who is a co-guardian of her is, spend many hours of time with her so that she is the main focus of your time. Take pictures so that she can look back on that day and have the memories in her mind and be able to look at them in living color.
Our granddaughter responds well to gently rubbing on the top of her head or rubbing on her back and talking gentle words. When she was very young and would get into one of her tantrums/tyrades that could last up to three hours non-stop, I had to put her into the bathtub of warm water and rub onto the top of her head while talking smoothly to her and get her mind off of being so mad. Then she would tell me later that she did not know why she acted that way, but once she got into it, she could not stop herself. We had many trying times but we managed to get through by much prayer to Almighty God; the one true God.
Hope this helps you.
L. C.
Sounds like you already know what you want to do
Why not ask her what she'd like? That always works best for me.
L.
Congratulations to both you and your daughter! This is very exciting news! If you are intrested in waterparks, there is a nice, but small one in Frankenmuth, MI, which is also a quaint little tourist town. We just had a fabulous weekend at Kalahari in Ohio. The Gret Wolf Lodges, both in Traverse City and in OHio are good also. The one in Traverse City has a cool game called MagiQuest that yo can do when youa re not in the waterpark. Even though you mentioned not having a gift, I don't think that is such a bad idea. Something like a charm bracelet to commemorate how well she did doesn't seem to be out of order to me. Have fun!
I know you mentioned no gifts - but I was surprised when my (now 15 yr old) told me that when we gave him a special dictionary for his good grades he really enjoyed that. That was a few years ago - and now he just looks every thing up online. But the point is - my son appreciates rewards for his grades that help him in school. She may enjoy something like a special bookmark if she enjoys reading (along with a book).
I think that a waterpark sounds great, or I also liked the idea of asking her, too. I would be sure to take a family picture while there and put it in a fun frame for her to keep in her room, maybe on her desk if she has one, to remind her of how hard she worked. Be sure to stress the effort ratings, too. I am a teacher and I have had students that, while they may not always get As and Bs, work so hard that I am just as proud of them as the A+ grades that some students get easily. Good job on being so supportive!
There is also a hotel waterpark in Sterling Heights. I think it is at 17 mile and Van Dyke. Congrats to your daughter!
Another idea would be one of the waterparks in Oakland County.. Red Oaks or Waterford Oaks.
Congratulations to your daughter.My son was learning disabled too.... Reconsider your thought to take a trip to a waterpark for two reasons. First, if you get a gift that is tangible, she can look at it as a reminder that she can accomplish things.It doesn't have to be an expensive gift. During the inevitable down times, a present that she sees will remind her how she earned it. Second, it rewards the whole family ( I am assuming that the other kids get to go, too) for HER accomplishment, which makes it less special. Try asking your daughter what she would like to do to celebrate. Even if your other children have things you want to celebrate, have it be separate occasions. Whatever you do, do not forget to keep celebrating every good report card. If you start to get used to them, and forget to keep encouraging, praising and celebrating, your child can "forget" to keep trying so hard. Never forget that it is harder for a leaning disabled child to get a B or an A than it is for the average child to get them. It is a huge blow to a child who had worked very hard for something to hear," Oh, that is what we expect from you." I remember hearing that from my parents,(after working really hard) and feeling all my pride is my acheivement and all my good feelings disappear like the air from a deflated balloon.Good luck. My leaning disabled child graduated from college this Spring. Your daughter can get there, too.
L.
Hi Judy,
We've been to the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City and it was very nice and clean. One thing I like about GWL is the fact to use the water park you have to be staying there...
Now having said that, we have friends who've gone to a water park in Sandusky called Kalahari and said it was fantastic and I believe it's the largest one in the US. But people can buy day passes so it can get crowded I'm sure.
Congratulations on your daughters achievement!! WTG!!!
Have fun!
J. in Macomb!
My 10 year old son has some of the same disorders you mentioned. He actually love the reward of going camping and taking a canoe trip with the family. These types of rewards help him learn social skills even while enjoying the reward. If you ask any of my children 2 (12 year olds) 1 (10 year old) and 1 (7 year old) what they want to do for a reward these are the answers I get, along with a request for a special dinner. CONGRATULATIONS to your daughter for all her hard work and congratulations to you for being there for her through the transitional year!! I know how hard you work to help her succeed!!
Hi Judy,
If you are proud of her and show it,she will be proud to. It will give her an ego boost that most young girls need. Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate! Maybe have a Graduation into 7th grade party with a few friends.
My 10 yr. old daughter recently got her Black Belt in Martial Arts. She has been working toward it for 5 yrs. 4 days a week. She absolutely loves it. I was never more proud of anyone the day she promoted. I made up picture cards (like the ones people send during the holidays)that say We are proud of you, etc., and sent them to all of our family and friends. It was really wonderful to get the calls and cards from everyone telling her how proud they are too. Give your daughter a High Five from me! L. B.
