Paying for good grades

Hi, with beginning high school and more independence, my husband wants to incentivize my 9th grade son to work hard in his studies. We’re trying to help him to plan further ahead as he has ADHD and tends to procrastinate any big projects. He also needs to improve on turning in homework assignments on time.

So my husband wants to pay him for keeping a good GPA. The higher his GPA the better the money. I do remember you saying you didn’t like paying for grades. Could you chat about that?

In addition, we have a seventh grade son that is very interested in earning money and would like to earn money for grades probably. But my husband doesn’t plan to start the earning for grades policy until high school. That would mean he would have to wait two more years. My husband understands that problem, but he doesn’t want the older one to complain that he didn’t get that opportunity when he was in seventh grade. So this has caused another dilemma. The seventh grader has some similar struggles to the ninth grader with being ready for his tests and completing his homework or fixing problems with homework assignments. However, the younger boy Has a tendency to worry a little bit and get overwhelmed feeling. So I really don’t think that paying him for grades would do more than add pressure to him.

What I don’t want to happen is that the boys don’t care about their grades without the incentive of money. I also hate to focus too hard on grades and not on learning. High grades are not my goal but I do also see how better grades help you with things like college entrances, so they are still important.

By the way, the money earned would go towards their first car.

Would love to hear your opinion on this, and especially how to best motivate them throughout the middle of a quarter to keep striving and doing their best.

Thank you!