Student teacher

Lately, I have been struggling with a little boy, let’s call him Jay.  He doesn’t want to do any work. He plays with others well but just won’t do anything.
Frustrating.
At first, bribing him with a merit star or a smiley face stamp would work, especially when he’d see his friends get them.
In time I gave them less and less. I mean they are supposed to do the work without the motivation/bribes.
I have talked with him, encouraged him, taken him to the next class to do his work but zero. I even sat with him, still zero.
Something had to change.
I took it old school, so to speak.
I would teach and I told him, he will not get a stamp or sticker till he did good work.
At first, he did something, but it wasn’t enough. The next day, he did nothing.
Now we are at a stalemate.
He knows what the conditions are, but he’s waiting me out.
Calling my bluff.
Haha, a child doesn’t know. I can play this game all day.

Same thing happens with life.
If you believe you know the right thing, you have to stick to your guns.
I am the teacher, but they are teaching me.