How can you be late for school I can see it from my window!

[sonlypuppyfat]

My DS is 14 and I've had two texts from school now saying he was late for school its only across the road FFS. My ever helpful DH says make sure he leaves on time he is forgetting he has a DD who is only 8 and needs to be taken to another school. What suggestions have you got for me to shake my son up?

[sonlypuppyfat]

Help me!!

[SilverApples]

Why is he late, leaving home late or getting distracted or sidetracked between home and class?
DS was late for work a couple of times, I've changed the times on his alarm and wall clock by 10 minutes. That was in July, he hasn't noticed yet.
I'd do a penalty for each late text. Something small and significant.

[gleekster]

Is this twice late since the start of the school year? If so I would say don't sweat the small stuff!!

It's when they aren't going at all or are late every single day you might want to have a serious chat or start issuing penalties.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Can you get him out of the house when you leave to drop dd off? Obviously only if you leave a short while before he was due to leave the house and only for a few days with the threat if starting again if you get more late texts.

[MrsCakesPremonition]

Most of the children around here seem to set off for school ridiculously early (at the same time that the adults are setting off on their commute to London). I think they meet up with friends, potter, go to the shops, wander in to school.

So where is your DS getting "lost"? Is he late leaving the house, does he get distracted en route, or is he actually on school premises but failing to register in time?

[sonlypuppyfat]

I think because we live so close to school he's just leaving home at the very last minute.

[Palika]

For every day he is late it will be 3 days that he has to go 1 hour earlier to bed. Works a treat with my DS14

[adeucalione]

I think you are right to take this seriously rather than waiting for it to escalate into something more serious.

Personally I would kick him out when I left to take younger sibling to school and explain why I'm doing it. If he wants to stay in bed/at home longer then he simply needs to get to school on time.

[fortifiedwithtea]

sonlypuppyfat you've hit the nail on the head. Being so near to school doesn't make it any easier to get there on time. We live 5 minutes away from school and I get texts saying DD1 15 is late. I have an 11 yo DD to get to school much further away and we manage on time. DD2 can't go on her own, she has SEN and for her there is a busy road to cross.

I don't know the answer. I just wanted to post to offer my support.

[Clabbage]

We also have the same problem. DD15, 2 mins from school, frequently late. I take DS 5 to primary so can't be there. I think living close is a disadvantage bizarrely. The school give detentions after 2 lates. No real solutions just some solidarity!

[sonlypuppyfat]

Thanks for your support he was late again today! So no computer tonight its so frustrating.