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Original poster

Duke of Edinburgh bronze award is giving me the rage. Please help me get a grip or share my frustration!!

55 replies

IHaventStoppedCravingYet · 11/05/2018 18:30

DS 14 is doing D of E this year. He was all enthusiastic and really really wanted to do it. Fast forward to now and he’s barely made any effort at all, is way behind in all activities. Hardly bothered to document the things he has done. Basically can’t be bothered. If we hadn’t spent so much money on it I wouldn’t be quite so upset but it’s really getting to me. As far as I can see he’s learnt nothing and gained nothing. I don’t know why I’m so upset think I’m just really disappointed in him.

OP posts:
PrettyLittleBrownEyedMe · 11/05/2018 19:05

I don't think you should feel guilty! I think it's fair to say he made a plan/commitment and isn't seeing it through. It sounds like he's on course for the volunteering and the sport, though, so he has made some progress....maybe now you've done the 'bad cop' you could have a chat about that plus what he could do to get through the skill bit too. Would something else enthuse him more? Maybe (god forbid) something you could take him to so there's a bit more structure and less opportunity not to bother?! When's his expedition? I think it is quite tough to get through it all and does take some stickability, but that is the point, isn't it. Employers and unis do really like it so it's worth trying to 'encourage' him through it if you can!

Chasingsquirrels · 11/05/2018 18:59

My ds has been doing things to count towards his time but hasn't documented anything, as far as I am aware from attending the information evening he just needs to get his assessor to sign off to say he has attended / completed his aims.
Am hoping this is the case as otherwise he has a LOT of catching up to do.

Original poster
IHaventStoppedCravingYet · 11/05/2018 18:55

He is already part of a football team and trains weekly and plays matches so he’s doing that for physical activity for 6 months. So He’s done it but only filled in about three lines on the record sheet so now needs to go back and retrospectively document. For volunteering he’s helped at local
Parkrun and actually is in track for that and has sheet signed (although I sorted this out in the end as time was ticking on and he had done zero to think of anything). For skill he again did nothing so inthe end I told him to join chess club at school as he likes chess. He was supposed to go weekly but I just found out he went twice in Feb and that's it. I’ve had a right go at him and feel guilty now

OP posts:
PrettyLittleBrownEyedMe · 11/05/2018 18:42

Woah, sorry, string of questions and then a MASSIVE sentence! Just interested as I've been there with DS2...

PrettyLittleBrownEyedMe · 11/05/2018 18:41

What are the things he's chosen to do for the skills and volunteering sections? Are they things he already had lined up and things he's really enthusiastic about? Could it be that his choices aren't really inspiring him? If he's signed up, I'd be really laying it on thick about commitment and 'seeing things through' and 'money spent' and all those life lessons I expect you hoped he'd gain from - but before all that I'd be checking out how he feels about his activities because it is hard to motivate yourself if you're not that bothered about the things you've put yourself down for.

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