Year 12 (4): The one where they're pondering what to do next

I think it's just 18 for NCS but by 1st May to work on their summer program, I know my niece did the program when she was 16 and was also a helper for two years too.

@ironoaks - yes a lot of paperwork and I think its a case of applying sooner rather than later. DD's DBS checked anyhow because she starts a tutoring job in a few weeks. Hopefully, she has enough experience with children having been an ELF at Christmas, Brownie Younger Leader and with the new Tutoring post (7 years plus). I think its a fab experience - just hope if she goes she will want to back!

One of my friends DC is just about to go on a Project Trust gap year to South Africa having raised over £6000(she has just finished at Peter Symonds).

Presumably you have to be in the university years to be a leader for NCS as well rather than merely 18.

oneteen
I saw those camps mentioned on WIWIKAU. I didn't pay much attention as it's not the sort of thing that would appeal to DS.

For those who would be interested, it sounds as though there's a fair amount of paperwork and red tape.

His domestic skills stretch to boiling a kettle at the moment! (Unfortunately, he appears to think pot noodles are a meal.) .

I offered to send my DD on a cooking course in France specifically for certain age groups (No was the answer).

Any DC thinking of volunteering summer camp USA next year. DD is quite keen and I saw someone recommending BUNAC.

DS is meant to do stuff for EPQ and a philosophy essay, plus make notes for his PS. I think it's safe to say none of those things have happened yet. He is watching videos of lectures related to his planned degree so I suppose he's doing something but his main focus appears to be his social life.
His domestic skills stretch to boiling a kettle at the moment! (Unfortunately he appears to think pot noodles are a meal.)

Kingscote - that workload sounds like my DS's, history and geography coursework to do and PS, has finished essay for competitions, away in Europe with friends this week and work experience next week with Reading Festival thrown in for good measure (just been to Latitude too!!!)

I keep asking if he is on top of it all and he says he is! Oh and driving lessons to add in as well as lifeguard shifts!

Last year after GCSEs I set ds some domestic tasks each week including doing a food shop, planning a couple if meals, tidying up, doing some laundry, running errands. I think working on life skills is an excellent idea!

I bought DS1 a Nosh cookbook after GCSEs last year, thinking he might as well start learning to cook for himself. Book has been sitting in his bedroom, unopened for a year. I think he intends to survive on chips throughout uni.

I'd like to encourage DS to work on some domestic / life skills this summer, but he is showing very little enthusiasm.

DD has more exams when she goes back so she's got some studying to do ...she also has her personal statement to write up too. She's back into procrastinating at the moment (today she and some friends are messing with a new tent they have brought for Reading).

I'm having to nag a little bit (which I don't like doing and thought we had got through this stage). The lady she babysits for is a scientist and kindly offered DD some work experience but DD has done nothing about it (tell a lie she drafted a text but didn't send it)... She did go and work a few nights at the local fish and chip shop though!

I think there's a massive contrast between the DC who have coursework to do, essays to write for competitions and Personal Statements to give in on the first day back (my DS - currently in filthy temper...) and those who got fab marks in their summer exams which bode well for their predictions and who are just enjoying a bit of R and R and recharging the batteries (my god daughter - in joyously sunny mood when I met her for lunch today!).

@OKBobble snap , ds also at Latitude and youngest of three ! Our middle one is likely to live at home for a while though and this weekend ds1 also came home , was very odd though

Both of mine are going to Spain at the end of August on a music trip so I'll have a bit of practice at managing without them! Suspect the house will be tidier and there'll be fewer food shopping trips...

DS was away at Latitude Thurs- Mondat and the house was very quiet. I said to DH this is what it will be like when DS (youngest of 3) goes to uni! So we went to the cinema in the afternoon!!!

oneteen I can understand that. I don't like to think about DS not living at home anymore - I really enjoy our chats and he's good company. I know it will seem very odd if and when he leaves home.
(That's not to say he can't be infuriating!)

Still another 12 months before preparations for Uni begin (living away from home) but I was feeling quite emotional yesterday when thinking of the prospect of DD being away. I split with DD's dad when she was 3 and she's an only child and my life has very much revolved around DD especially in recent times where she spends 80% Plus of her time with me. I am sure the next 12 months will roll along far too quickly! .

Happy reading!

You're welcome.

He’s ordered both from Amazon and is currently sitting in a deck chair listening to the Achebe one on Audible! Thanks, online chums!

Another good one is Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe . Kingscote.

Examines both the protagonist's relationship with his father, and also his relationships with his actual son and 'adopted' son so 3 for the price of 1.

It was DS's gcse novel and will be a quick and easy read for an A level student.

Interesting email from Durham giving advice on PS -all seems to match school's suggestions, thank heavens.

Eng Lit types - help needed! DS is fretting about his English Pre U - they have to do a 'Personal Investigation' extended essay. He wants to write about failed/flawed paternal relationships (DH is looking slightly perturbed...) He has chosen King Lear and Sylvia Plath for main texts and was going to have The Tempest and Seamus Heaney for secondary texts but is now worried that there isn't enough on that topic in the Heaney poetry. I have suggested Tender is the Night or Mayor of Casterbridge as a 4th, but neither seems to inspire him - anyone got any suggestions?