You wade through tons of dirty underwear and socks, attempt to leap impossibly stuffed backpacks and sporting equipment and sweat over whether homework assignments will be turned in on time and cram sessions will garner decent grades. Teenagers are notorious procrastinators. Their brains seemed hardwired to take the approach that it is never late enough to get something done. Stop pulling your hair out and start refusing to do their work for them. Get your teens off their duffs so they can learn how to get everything done in a timely manner.
Step 1
Attempt to discern the reasons for your teenager's procrastination. It might be sheer laziness in the majority of cases, but there can be other reasons. For example, if your child avoids doing homework until the last minute, it might be because she is a perfectionist. She might be reluctant to do the work because, in her eyes, it is never good enough, says Jan Faull in an article for "Ladies' Home Journal" website. Once you understand the reasoning behind procrastination, you will be able to approach it more successfully, notes Faull, a former educator who specializes in teaching people how to be good parents.
Step 2
Give your teen clear directives on what you expect from him and in what time frame. Be precise. Teens love to find loopholes in everything you say. According to the Children's Trust, adolescents deal much better with clear, specific instructions, such as "hang up your clothing" rather than "clean up your room."
Step 3
Insist certain tasks be done immediately. For example, if you want him to take out the trash directly after dinner, then you tell -- not ask -- your child to do so. Do not allow him to lure you into a debate or argument over the matter.
Step 4
Create rules regarding procrastination, so your child understands the penalties if she does not obey. This way, there is clarity; your teen must take responsibility for getting things done in a timely manner or suffer the consequences.
Step 5
Challenge your teenager to create an organized plan of action regarding daily tasks. Teens need the opportunity to begin planning for themselves, though they often need "pushes" from you to get started. Discuss with your child the importance of not continuing the habit of procrastination into adulthood.
Step 6
Refuse to bail out your teenager when procrastination cause her grief. For example, don't let her sleep in and cut English class when she has stayed up all night finishing a science project at the last minute.
