Advice wanted... any more suggestions.

I read the following message on an advice forum where a desperate mother seeks help for her son.

My son (aged 12) is a reluctant reader and despite getting him to read out loud daily, is still struggling. Does anyone have any suggestions on things that might help. Developing a passion for reading is not as easy as it might sound and it is now getting to the stage where it is impacting other areas of his school work. Any suggestions for 'small miracles' welcome - books to inspire 12 year old boys - tutors which could provide reading help - stories of hope.

I could not help but come up with a few suggestions.....

Suggestion 1

Give him a football/skateboard/Gameboy, let him go out with his friends but
above all get off the his back and stop embarrassing the kid!

Suggestion 2

OK you tried making him read out loud and that did not work? Try embarrassing
him further.

• Make him wear a skirt to school and tie his
  hair in a ribbon.


• Call him a girl's name in front of his
  friends.


• Make sure all his clothes are pink.

Suggestion 3

This unfortunate boy is suffering from a severe case of of OPS. (Overbearing
Parent Syndrome). It will only be cured when his parents get a life of their
own. These parents are easily recognized in educational circles where they are
known as helicopters. So called because of they have the annoying habit
of hovering around and interfering with the day to day running of the school.

Suggestion 4

12 years old eh? Perhaps he is starting to develop other interests that you
could use as an incentive.
Has he started to notice girls? Bribe him with an evening in a bordello when he has finished reading War and Peace.

Suggestion 5

Get him a years subscription to Playboy magazine and a pair of boxing
gloves.

Suggestion 6

You are too soft with the boy.
Start a new displined regime. Wake at 5 am for a cold shower and 3
mile run. Breakfast of gruel.
5 hours reading aloud and memorizing the standard text. The
bible. King James edition of course. None of this namby pamby New International
stuff. Any hesitations and deviations are dealt with by a good thrashing. Iron
discpline. Thats what made this country great.

I hasten to add that I used none of the above recommendations with my kids.