GCSEs in your family this summer? Come and hide here!

[2outof3]

Can I join the party please

We seem to have a startling lack of stress in our house, but DD keeps telling me that Easter hols is plenty of time to start revising and she doesn't want to burn herself out

I can't remember when we started revising for O'levels but on the basis that she still hasn't finished all her assessments/language orals etc I think I'll just have to leave it to her judgement. Mind you, she's still got several social engagements planned over the next few weeks, so I'm wondering when I should institute the lock down

[scary mum]

Then we can all go to Scary's Bar (another thread)

The drinks will be on me

DD is revising but not very effectively I suspect. Oh well, roll on the Easter holidays. More nausea and breakfast refusal this morning (and no, she's not ).

[Amber]

We are in this too. DD putting huge amounts of pressure on herself to add to the slow boil of the last two years at school, now tangibly reaching fever pitch. Happily got the Maths out of the way last year ( I was the mother who was dead against that, but am glad now, or I would be if she wasn't doing Further Maths now) and I think the English is all but over too, but yes, definite signs of stress. Compulsory revision classes on the two evenings she was free after school so barely at home. She is pretty good at taking breaks and is usually outside, which I think is pretty healthy. Apart from feeding her decent food and keeping a safe distance, not sure what else I can do. Put on a hard hat and dodge the bullets is how it feels sometimes.

[scary mum]

We are in this too. DD putting huge amounts of pressure on herself to add to the slow boil of the last two years at school, now tangibly reaching fever pitch. Happily got the Maths out of the way last year ( I was the mother who was dead against that, but am glad now, or I would be if she wasn't doing Further Maths now) and I think the English is all but over too, but yes, definite signs of stress. Compulsory revision classes on the two evenings she was free after school so barely at home. She is pretty good at taking breaks and is usually outside, which I think is pretty healthy. Apart from feeding her decent food and keeping a safe distance, not sure what else I can do. Put on a hard hat and dodge the bullets is how it feels sometimes.

I wish mine would get outside. She hides in her "nest" (bed) and reads The Hunger Games"
I've told her the order of the day for the Easter break is: up at a reasonable time, eating healthily, regular breaks and plenty of excercise and fresh air and bed not too late. Plus some fun too. Anything else?

[Amber]

We are going to try and get away for a couple of days at the seaside...she won't agree to go for longer, but I think a change of scene and a complete break would be good. There is no point in my trying to intervene...like some other 15 year olds, DD knows her own mind and woe betide anyone who tries to tell her what to do!

[creggie]

Hi All

Just thought I’d come along and join in! I too have an extremely laid back DS at the moment it seems to be me doing all the stressing ! He has had Art coursework due in and the GCSE this week and Graphics coursework due in Friday so he has been concentrating on that together with another Spanish oral which is also on Friday. He is doing revision courses for the first week of the Easter holidays mainly for English – the subject he really doesn’t like. Does anyone have any tips on how to get laid-back boys to sit up and realise the exams are really not that far away?! He also seems to have most of his over a two week period (with three on one day) and then a two week gap before the last two – not ideal – can feel my stress levels rising!

[scary mum]

Hi All

Just thought I’d come along and join in! I too have an extremely laid back DS at the moment it seems to be me doing all the stressing ! He has had Art coursework due in and the GCSE this week and Graphics coursework due in Friday so he has been concentrating on that together with another Spanish oral which is also on Friday. He is doing revision courses for the first week of the Easter holidays mainly for English – the subject he really doesn’t like. Does anyone have any tips on how to get laid-back boys to sit up and realise the exams are really not that far away?! He also seems to have most of his over a two week period (with three on one day) and then a two week gap before the last two – not ideal – can feel my stress levels rising!

I'm not sure there is a great deal any of us can do, creggie, other than support them and encourage them to make a (realistic) revision timetable. They are old enough to think they know their own minds, but not really old enough to understand the importance of it all, even though the feelings of pressure may be getting to them. In spite of my DD feeling the stress she still spends an inordinate amount of time not actually doing very much

[katel]

By 16 you should just let them get on with it. Honestly- if they ask for help, obviously give it, but all this talk of stopping other activities and cancelling social events is a big mistake. Provide the resources ad the environment- then step back.

[scary mum]

By 16 you should just let them get on with it. Honestly- if they ask for help, obviously give it, but all this talk of stopping other activities and cancelling social events is a big mistake. Provide the resources ad the environment- then step back.

I don't think anyone is suggesting cancelling social events, really, Katel. I think we are all agreed they are the ones who have to get one with it and we are there to support them. Mind you, I won't be sending mine off on a two week holiday!

[Rob Clark]

Horses for courses, no? I’m afraid my DS is one of those who would do very little work at all with no nagging, so we nag, and like others have said we hold out the carrot of a long, long summer break (about 10 weeks I think). In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need to but I can’t agree that at 15 they can all be left to their own devices – some can, some can’t.

We don’t stop sport and socialising, but we do insist on a bit of cutting back as DS would otherwise play sport every day and go out all weekend. He can do that after the exams…