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ds school refusing i feel out of my depth

28 replies

noschool00 · 09/09/2026 21:29

I dont even know how to write this tbh its all a bit of a mess. DS15 came out as bi when he was 13 then later said he was gay. fine. honestly fine. never had a problem with it at all, ive supported him and always have. He keeps telling me ive got a problem with him being gay and I havent.

But now im apparently homophobic. He has even told his school im homophobic. Which is great.

Today was another meeting with head of year and education welfare because he hasnt been to school at all this year and barely went last year either. Last year was basically a handful of days, then reduced timetable, which he agreed to, then it was why cant I do this instead, why cant I come in at this time, why do I have to do that, why cant I only do x etc etc and then he wouldnt go anyway.

I honestly dont know what they expect me to do now because school are threatening a fine if he doesnt start attending. I have tried getting him in. I have. He just refuses.

Anyway today he wouldnt stay in the meeting either. He was saying he wasnt staying, wanted to go home, wouldnt talk to them. In the end he did stay but they put him in isolation. Now hes decided that because he technically went into school today he should have all his devices back.

I said no.

And thats kicked everything off again. He spends basically his whole life online. phone, laptop, fanfic, talking to people he doesnt know, gay fanfic constantly, and ive found hes been watching very violent and explicit porn. Im not putting details on here but its not appropriate for a 15 year old and it has really worried me.

So ive taken the devices. Apparently because im homophobic.

I keep saying it isnt because hes gay. If he was straight and doing exactly the same thing I would still take them. He doesnt seem to hear that.

Hes very verbally aggressive with me as well. Swearing, shouting, getting in my face, telling me im a terrible mum. Hes smashed things up when hes been angry before. sometimes I honestly just stand there thinking what am I actually supposed to do.

And when I take the devices he makes threats about killing himself. Obviously I take that seriously. Of course I do. But I cant have it being that every time I set a boundary this happens because then I dont know how im supposed to parent him at all.

And yes I know hes struggling. I KNOW. We have tried. School counselling was offered but the counsellor is only there one day a week and DS was never in on that day. So that went nowhere. Early Help said they cant do anything. CAMHS refused the referral.

School say theyre worried. Now education welfare are involved and theres talk of fines. And I am just thinking what exactly am I meant to do. I cant physically make him go in.

Today I was sat in that meeting and he was basically saying im homophobic and I wanted to scream because this is not about that. I dont care if hes gay. I care that hes 15 and not going to school and talking to random people online and watching stuff he shouldnt be watching and spending every waking minute online and becoming more aggressive at home. Thats what im worried about.

But he has told school im homophobic so now im also worrying that school think thats why hes not going in or that im somehow causing all of this. Im not.

I am exhausted. Really exhausted. Hes upstairs now asking for his phone back. Ive said no. Hes calling me controlling again.

I dont want to give it back. But im also scared because I know how he reacts when I take it. I feel like whatever I do is wrong.

If I give it back, im worried about what hes doing online. If I dont, im worried about what hes going to do because hes already making threats. And school are saying he has to attend or I could be fined.

How am I meant to get him there when he wont go.

Sorry this is all over the place. I genuinely cant think straight tonight. I dont even know what im asking really.

Just what would you actually do because I feel completely out of my depth with him now.

OP posts:
ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 09/09/2026 21:43

DahliaDelights · 09/09/2026 21:37

This sounds horrific for you, so sorry youre going through it. My immediate is dont give in.

Dont return the devices tonight: Yielding to aggressive outbursts or suicide threats to get a phone back teaches him that threats are an effective tool to get his way.

Respond to self-harm/suicide threats with emergency protocols, not negotiations: If he threatens suicide when denied a device, treat it strictly as a medical emergency. Tell him calmly: "I take your safety very seriously. If you are feeling unsafe and expressing suicidal thoughts, I have to call 999 / Crisis Team right now." and ring 999. This at least teaches him he cant manipulate you through fear.

This he’s bullying and abusing you with his behaviour

anonymoususer9876 · 09/09/2026 21:41

Has he got a diagnosis? He could be neurodivergent and be struggling with the school setting from a sensory overwhelm perspective. And the anxiety of being neurodivergent means possible wanting to control everything in order to feel safe again. The reason I suggest this is he presents very similarly to similar neurodivergent children I have taught (and some similarities with my own child).

Do you have any support in real life? Friends and family?

Why did CAMHS refuse to help - what was their reasoning? And what did education welfare say to you about how to get him in school and that at age 15 you cannot physically make him?

DahliaDelights · 09/09/2026 21:37

This sounds horrific for you, so sorry youre going through it. My immediate is dont give in.

Dont return the devices tonight: Yielding to aggressive outbursts or suicide threats to get a phone back teaches him that threats are an effective tool to get his way.

Respond to self-harm/suicide threats with emergency protocols, not negotiations: If he threatens suicide when denied a device, treat it strictly as a medical emergency. Tell him calmly: "I take your safety very seriously. If you are feeling unsafe and expressing suicidal thoughts, I have to call 999 / Crisis Team right now." and ring 999. This at least teaches him he cant manipulate you through fear.