Big row. Festival or GCSE results? Is DS BU or me?

[slambang]

The scenario: Ds (16) is going to a festival with friends in August. (Borrowing money from me and paying me back from his paper round.) He's sensible, hard working, aiming high.

The issue: Festival proper starts Thursday but friends (also yr 11) are buying early bird tickets to get to festival on Wednesday (best camping spots, unsigned acts playing). Ds wants to go early too. But the Thursday is GCSE results day.

I say DS should go to festival on Thursday after picking up his results. He can meet friends there. I will take him if there's no lift to share. He should be keen to find out his results.

Ds says his results are not going to change if he doesn't collect them until the next week. He doesn't need to know them immediately. He wants to go on the Wednesday.


(This is the polite version and I'm trying to be fair to both sides. Swear words were used. )

Jury please!

[pictish]

They're his results, not yours.

[LittleMissFantabulous]

His results, his choice.

[derektheladyhamster]

I'd let him go, Is there anyway you can collect the results for him I would need to know them even if he wasn't bothered

[tuttavia]

I agree with your DS. He's right - his results won't change. And if he's happy to wait a week to get them, what's the problem? (He may well call you and ask you to open them . . . )

[lljkk]

YABVU.
Does he need his results immediately for his next stage? Is he likely to be boredline to get into the college of his choice, perhaps?

[leftangle]

What difference, to either of you, will it make if he doesn't know. Is there anything he has to do urgently when he gets them.
If not I think YABU.

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

His GCSE results will be there when he gets back, he's right; they won't change. I'd let him go.

[whois]

DS is right, his results won't change. It's not like A levels and uni places where he might have to fight thru clearing if results aren't as desired. Totally fine to go to festival and pick the results up later.

[coffeeandcream]

I actually agree with your DS! But I could see that as his parent you would want to know how well he had done.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

YABU :-)

[Iamcountingto3]

Why does he need to be there to pick up his results on the day? Is there likely to be anything he needs to do - doesn't sound like he'll be signing up for resits or similar...? I think your ds is right - nothing is going to change if he gets his results later.

Is it more about you wanting to know the results by any chance?!?

I went away to a festival at exactly the same stage and rang home to get my GCSE results - everyone lived...

[slambang]

Yes true. They're his results. He's working bloody hard and desrves good ones. but I want to KNOW

[exexpat]

Can't he get them online? Nephew was on big family holiday in France when his came out a couple of years ago, but he got them by email, I think, or maybe logged on to school website. You can probably get them on your mobile these days...

But I'd agree, his choice. Will there be very much hanging on the results - ie is he in danger of not getting the grades to do his chosen A-level subjects?

[BarbarianMum]

If his results are disappointing, would that affect his future plans in a way that required immediate action (ringing round 6th forms/speaking to college)?

If not, then I think he should go to the festival.

[firesidechat]

I think I agree with your son. Sorry.

I know you're probably very keen to know the results, but he is obviously more chilled about it. Aren't they posted online these days, so he may be able to find out anyway?

[BellaTalbert]

Personally I would let him go on the Wednesday to be with his friends. I can appreciate that you would like to know the results as soon as they are available however whats a few days extra??

[slambang]

Oh damn I knew you'd say he was right.

[LivingThings]

His results will be exactly the same no matter when he picks them up.

[INeedThatForkOff]

YABU, but I imagine he could arrange to have them posted. However if he doesn't want to, you're going to have to stay on tenterhooks for a while longer.

[toobreathless]

'He's sensible, hard working and aiming high'

He sounds lovely, honestly let him do what he wants to & be proud of him when his results are great which I'm sure they will be :)

[HollyBerryBush]

Depends if a 6th form place is dependent upon them.

The boards have just rejiggered English GCSE again - CAU being 'rigorously examined' this year - so you can bet a grade will be knocked off.

[Backtobedlam]

YABU-I didn't want to collect my own results as was so nervous. I went away to camp for the week and my sister collected them, then rang them through to me. I was so much happier with this as was distracted by all the fun we were having and didn't get so nervous. Could you collect them for him and ring them through?

[Eskarina]

I was away for my gcse results. My mum could have picked them up from the school for me or I could have provided an SAE for the school to post them to me. Can't remember which I did now, but I do remember mum phoning me at camp to tell me what they were.
Let him go and make sure you can get the results. A week is a bloody long time to wait!

[BrandiBroke]

Personally I think 16 is too young to go camping at a festival, but as you're happy for him to go I think he should be able to go to the whole thing with his friends. Can he either get the results posted or make arrangements for you to go in and get them for him?