Keeping kids interested can be tough.  By the time they are teenagers kids need to have some kind of ownership in something.  Something that gives them value and helps them to see just what they can do.  For many that will be a job or an entrepreneurial endeavor; for others it might be a ministry or even just a hobby.

By giving them a sense of value in who they are and what they can do, you are building their confidence and helping them to grow as individuals.  From there, keeping them interested in their studies improves because it becomes a means to an end–to taking their skill or passion or ministry further.

Another great strategy is to have your teen determine what she will complete each day.  By setting her own goals and working to achieve them, she gains ownership over what she is doing (not to mention she is learning goal setting and time management skills).  This alone can be motivational to the right kids.

Sometimes a lack of interest can also be due to a sense of overwhelming.  If he is struggling in a particular subject, he may respond with a seemingly “I don’t care” attitude.  It can be very discouraging to find that every day is a struggle to succeed.  (Imagine if we were in those shoes with our jobs?)  Does he need a review of concepts before tackling his current subject?  Are there core concepts that he has missed that would make all of the difference in the world?

Or, if he is studying something that does not interest him at all, it might be good to reassess.  Is it a course that he really needs this year or could it be put off to next?  Obviously, there are some courses that he will just need to buckle down and take; but others may be able to wait.

I always find that using enrichments can also generate interest.  Many kids now love YouTube.  Can you have her create little YouTube lessons for what she is learning?  Imagine the amount of research, writing and public speaking skills she would need for such a project!

Ask her what you can do to make her homeschooling more interesting.  Does she like cooking, photography, sports, music, art?  Try to find her passions and let her find a way to build them into what she is doing.  If cooking, have her research and make a recipe from the country or time period she is studying in history; if music, have her compile a CD of songs that represent a period in history or literature . . . the possibilities are endless and she is probably the best one to come up with them.

And of course, don’t forget the power of friends.  Having a buddy to work with or hang out with when the studying is done can be a huge motivator!

Hope this helps.  And remember, homeschooling will have its ups and downs so enjoy the ups and hang in there through the downs. In the end, you cannot help but call it an adventure!