This is utter shameless bragging but I'm not sorry

[LifeonVenus]

Well I am sorry, because I hate bragging if it makes someone else feel a little less, but I hope this is a little bit more about me than inconsiderately not considering anyone else.

My dd has had a tough start in life. Think less than ideal family life, no father, lives with her grandmother etc.

Last week, she messaged me (she's just going into GCSE year) to tell me that she got an award for academic achievement for her 2nd year results. She was utterly ecstatic. I don't think anyone was more surprised than she was, as to me her grades were all over the shop (a mixture between A, B's, C's and a D in Maths).

I suspect it's not that she came third in her year, but it was more that she put in effort, but she is fully convinced she came third and I'm not about to burst that bubble. She just turned 15 and told me 'Mammy - if I could do that with only putting in a little bit of effort - imagine what I could do if I study!'. She's like me in that the carrot works better than the stick.

I'm banned from posting about her on FB, I've no friends here (friends don't really care anyway), so her godmother and grandfather rang her to congratulate her.

She really has had all the odds stacked against her so anything and everything she has achieved is all on her. So I just wanted to say that to someone. Don't know why. I don't have anyone else to tell who wouldn't feel it's bragging or something.

Anyway, just thought I'd put it out there. The encouragement seems to having a brilliant effect on her. I firmly believe in encouragement and praise.

And if anyone wants to tell me I'm a brilliant Mum (I'm the worst Mum on the planet - she doesn't even live with me), then that would be cool too..

Sorry. I usually hate these kinds of posts.

[Aquamarine1029]

Congratulations to your daughter! I can only imagine how proud you are of her! Reaping the benefits of your hard work is an amazing feeling. Perhaps you could send her a special gift to make her achievement.

[scrivette]

Ahh what lovely news and what a lovely proud Mum you are!

[Aquamarine1029]

BTW, I LOVE this kind of post. It's wonderful to hear about good things happening to people.

[LifeonVenus]

Thank you. Wish I could accept that praise, unfortunately I don't deserve it. It's all on her.

[saraclara]

Your post made me grin! I can hear the price and excitement in her voice. It must be wonderful for a kid who's had the odds stacked against them, to get that sort of unequivocal praise and recognition from her teachers, when they least expect it.

I'm glad you shared with us. And even if she doesn't live with you, you've obviously done something right, so be proud of yourself too!

[aibutohavethisusername]

Aww fantastic. Well done to your daughter.

[seastargirl]

Aww, well done to both of you! You have every right to be proud!

[saraclara]

Price= pride, of course!

[GetUpAgain]

Well done to your DD for her achievements!

and

Well done to you for being a mum that your DD wants to tell stuff to! 《 a compliment you can't deflect/argue with

[Vampyress]

Congratulations to your daughter, she deserves every ounce of happiness, and your desire to share this is the most beautiful and loving thing I have read today. Wishing you both endless joy and happy days xxx

[FrivolousPancake]

Oh I love this kind of post! And I love the stigma being removed from all different family living situations and family dynamics!

Well done you and your DD

[LifeImplosionImminent]

You are litterally BURSTING with pride - this isn't shameless bragging at all. I'd read a whole novel of posts like these anyday. Well done to your DD and the way she told you about it means she is thriving on your support. They are a cracking set of results so she's right, the real thing will be amazing because she is motivated to do well, and you absolutely can take some credit for that.

[LifeonVenus]

Thank you all. It's hard when she has an embargo on you posting on FB about her lol. I know they'd all have been delighted, but I've no friends over here. I find it's only family who really give a damn anyway.
It's just that she's the type of kid who should really be in foster care, on drugs and pregnant by now.
But because of her own little personality she makes the best of things. She's just a little fighter.
Sorry to boast when everyone is facing their own challenges, but for her this was MASSIVE. I mean, nobody was as shocked as she was lol.
Her school report waivered between 'a pleasure to teach', 'should be disappointed' and 'charm does not equal effort'. I actually gave her a bollocking about her school report.
It's so hard being away from her. I'm not going to go into the whys and the wherefores of that, but basically, A, I was deemed unfit, B, I couldn't cope being so close and yet so far so moved countries.
Won't make sense to most people.
But she is the rainbow on every rainy day. She is the colour in my life. When my life is shit, just her little voice cheers me from 1% to 100%.
She's a little gem and it's all just her. Nobody to thank but her. Can't attribute it to either parent as don't know Parent A, and me being Parent B am a suicidal depressive.

No - she doesn't know anything about that, just that mammy is in hospital sometimes. How the fuck she ended up so normal is a mystery to me.

I wonder how long this new found motivation will last lol.

So so proud of her. You couldn't believe.

[Wynston]

Youre dd will go far........she has grasped the realisation that hard work pays off!!! Absolutely delighted for you all.........you are still a part of her life and you are doing great!!!

[LifeonVenus]

And thank you all for so gracefully being happy for me. I'm honestly not boasting. I'm just so happy, my heart is bursting with pride and I needed to share it with someone.

[tinkerbellla]

What an amazing post. Huge congratulations to her and to you. This made me smile

[Happysummer2020]

That's so lovely. You must be a great Mum... it was you she wanted to call and tell the good news to. She wanted you to share her pride and happiness !!!

[Divorce678]

Congratulations to both of you.
You might not physically be there, but you’re still there, and she knows it and that’s what counts

[bornonasunday]

Congrats to you both, it’s heart-lifting to hear lovely news like yours in today’s worrying world!!
I know the feeling of heart-bursting pride... it’s rare, but so amazing! Don’t worry that no-one in the bigger world cares... the one person in the whole world that matters to your dd cares - You!! And a fair few of us Mums and GMs😀 Well Done both!! Xxx

[LottaHogs]

Well done her! I love the fact that she’s realised for herself that a bit more hard work may result in better grades. Keep being a proud mum, your encouragement and support will mean the absolute world to her.

[Jumblebee]

What a lovely post, well done to your daughter! She sounds lovely

[bostik]

Fantastic - congratulations to her and to you for being obviously a really lovely mum xx

[Onekidnoclue]

Your daughter sounds fantastic. Just think it had to come from somewhere. Give yourself some credit.

[mcduffy]

You pair of fighters! 💪