Problem:
Did you recognize signs of a dysfunctional family? Davy's family is mess and one you don't want to step into. Mother is not just travelling she is in New York in a training program that she hopes will qualify her for higher level job in her field which will enable her to leave her husband. She cannot afford to leave him now because her father-in-law provides most of the money for the family through a trust and she is concerned he will fight her for custody if she tries to take Davy. Meanwhile Davy has two teenage brothers who Dad likes to think of as his "friends" rather than his children and stays up all night playing video games with his older boys and their friends. Although Dad puts Davy to bed at 10 p.m. Davy is up within the hour eating chips and snacks until after 2 in the morning. He often arrives at school tired and hasn't eaten breakfast because frankly he isn't hungry until later in the morning. What this child probably needs more than more academics is sleep and nutritious meals-lack of both contribute to low motivation and a lethargic reaction.
Dad really would like to get Davy to sleep and eat regularly but just doesn't know how. This is something you can inquire about and perhaps help with. You might start off with a survey to the whole class asking for bedtimes and eating habits and then talking in general about good habits and use this as a starting point with Davy's Dad offering to help get Davy on a better routine since this is an area that Dad himself has mentioned-cannot get him to eat! Bottom line sometimes you just can do what you can do! This family is not going to listen to you unless you have something for them that is helpful. Mom will use any negative information as a case against Dad and the absence of Mom will be used by Dad as an excuse for Davy's behavior. You don't want to be caught in the middle which is where Davy will end up! What you can do for Davy is help him in the classroom using the best tools you have-your knowledge of development. Where is Davy and how within the context of the class can you get him to where he needs. Need Assignment Help?