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Original poster

Celebrating GCSE results

31 replies

GSCECelebrations · 19/08/2025 19:45

Dd isn’t sure what she’d like to do to celebrate. She’s expected to get top grades. She’s hoping some family members will give her money as a reward. I’ve bought her some jewellery. I remember from previous years some parents were giving their child x amount for x grade adding up to hundreds of pounds. That’s beyond my budget.
Dd is hopefully going out with her dad and did want me to take her on a shopping spree but we’ve just come back off holiday and I simply can’t, plus, I’ve bought her a gift that she chose, will take her out for dinner, get her a card and possibly a Starbucks if we go out the day after.
Back in the mists of time I got a helium balloon and a rose from my mum. No acknowledgment from anyone else. I was very ill during my high school years so it was a miracle I passed anything but back then I don’t think people really celebrated or maybe my family were just crap. I wouldn’t have wanted a fuss anyway but Dd does.

What are you doing/did you do for your child’s GCSE result?

OP posts:
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Widecombe79 · 22/08/2025 12:11

I know it's old-fashioned, but I think it can be lovely and meaningful to write your DC a letter, telling them how much you admire their effort, how proud you are of them, and how you love and respect the adult they are growing into. A letter like this can be read and re-read, and in years to come can be a treasured memento of your relationship and a special time in your DC's life. It costs you nothing except your time and attention, but fully acknowledges their effort and commitment. The reward, as other posters have said, is in the grades and the opportunities they open up.

Original poster
GSCECelebrations · 22/08/2025 10:49

Her dad took her for a spoons and got her a card and a tiny bottle of Prosecco so he actually managed to do something and she was happy with that. It will have been his girlfriend who got the card and alcohol but at least he took her out and actually let her choose for once so it’s a win for Dd.
I hope everyone receiving their results yesterday had a wonderful day.

OP posts:
mamaduckbone · 21/08/2025 17:15

We are giving ds some money to spend (but not £100s) and will take him out for lunch and to do a bit of shopping over the weekend.
He wants to go out with his mates this evening, but I've made brownies at his request to have when his dad gets home. I'll pay for takeaway of choice with his friends. He's really not into making a big fuss, although I want to because I'm beyond proud of his results!

Original poster
GSCECelebrations · 21/08/2025 08:53

Her sister did not very well at all due to various factors outside my control like going to live with her dad because he let her do whatever she wanted so she was drinking and taking drugs and getting arrested. So today for her will be tough as the Dd of this thread is set to do very well. There’s a lot of jealousy and sibling rivalry at play with their dad. I think it’s her dad that Dd wants the fuss from. He has made bets with her on her grades. I think it’s more acknowledgement from him that she went to school every day and worked hard when with a less determined mindset over her chosen career (medical) she’d have been a school refuser. She was bullied in the early years and has struggled to fit in. Suspected ND but refuses assessment. So how she articulates what she wants for these exams and grades hasn’t been articulated well and comes across as grabby but I know what she means. It will be interesting to see what her dad does today. She had to ask him if they could go out for dinner, he didn’t even suggest seeing her.
I’m going to make her a cake while she’s at school today and hope she lets me know her results.

OP posts:
Scottishgirl85 · 21/08/2025 06:39

Newbutoldfather · 21/08/2025 06:11

Who expects gifts/treats for exams? I will probably take my son out for a nice meal if he does well, but I probably wouldn’t if he asked for it.

We went for a fabulous holiday this summer to reward his effort, but also to ‘celebrate’ me getting even older.

I try to support my children all the time and their only obligation is to do their best at school (and a few minor chores at home).

How do people deal with siblings where one is academic and the other isn’t? It must perpetuate resentment where one gets shopping trips and treats and the other gets commiserations.

Reward effort, not results!!

Newbutoldfather · 21/08/2025 06:11

Who expects gifts/treats for exams? I will probably take my son out for a nice meal if he does well, but I probably wouldn’t if he asked for it.

We went for a fabulous holiday this summer to reward his effort, but also to ‘celebrate’ me getting even older.

I try to support my children all the time and their only obligation is to do their best at school (and a few minor chores at home).

How do people deal with siblings where one is academic and the other isn’t? It must perpetuate resentment where one gets shopping trips and treats and the other gets commiserations.

ZenNudist · 21/08/2025 05:55

Most people just do a meal.

Kids will always ask for stuff. Just keep saying no!

MargaretThursday · 21/08/2025 05:51

Dd1 we went out for a meal
Dd2 was COVID year so a bit difference. What she wanted was t go shopping and every time she wanted something, ifI bought it, she'd tell me one result! I said we wouldn't go shopping unless she told me all up front.
Soo we did go shopping, and bought things for 6th form.
Ds went out with friends.

Chocolatecoveredshitpig · 20/08/2025 22:03

DD has already had her gift as we had to buy it last week - a (massively overpriced) ticket to see My Chemical Romance next year. It was mainly for her managing to sit any exams at all as she had a horrible year, culminating in EBSA and had to sit her GCSEs at a specialist unit. We’re so proud of her just for getting through them. She is still hoping for decent grades tomorrow though; she’s determined to go back to school for 6th form and do her A levels. 🤞🤞🤞🤞. I’m just writing her a card now and I’ll probably bung a few quid in so she can get herself a treat.

Mimbl · 20/08/2025 20:49

An actual 'celebration' is lovely, as in spending time together, or a small treat or keepsake, but I would think a meal, money from relatives, gifts, shopping spree, trip out, and extra treats etc all together far over the top. You've mentioned 'grabby' people who want more than is reasonable for all manner of things, but your OP makes your DD sound just like this.

Honestly, if she hasn't even had to work very hard for whatever she gets, I wouldn't be going overboard to reward her. There will come a point she needs to work hard to succeed, or maybe even just keep up.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 20/08/2025 20:42

DD's next college has no uniform of any kind, and I know she has her eye on a new pair of Urban joggers, so I am anticipating that that is what she would really like as a reward.

We gave her a piece of jewellery at the start of the exams, so she has a permanent memento of this particular rite of passage already!

Zanatdy · 20/08/2025 19:21

Last year I got DD a Dyson airwrap, and her dad got her lots of 9 balloons and we went for a meal to celebrate.

MapWall · 20/08/2025 16:47

MyOtherProfile · 19/08/2025 22:28

We did what we always do for any kind of celebration or occasion - we went for dinner at a restaurant of their choosing.

Same. We didn’t do gifts or cash per grade. But had a lovely meal out. We were abroad though which made it special anyway.

BeaLola · 20/08/2025 12:21

We took DS last year and his best friend for a meal.
DS also received sone money from Grandpa to buy something he would like & I gave him some money too (my Dad gave me some when I did my Olevels)

OP I think you've got it right and I think the afternoon tea Friday sounds really lovely and thoughtful

TeenToTwenties · 20/08/2025 11:53

DD1. We celebrated end of exams. Then on results day we did a shopping trip and probably a takeaway or meal out, can't remember.

DD2 every (3) results day so far has been about managing her disappointment, so we are set for that again. Possibly a Dominoes.
Regardless no more resits.

kalokagathos · 20/08/2025 11:39

Nothing

DataColour · 20/08/2025 11:24

I took DS away to Majorca for a few days as his treat after his exams, to reward the effort he made and also to acknowledge the stressful period he (and I ) went through. If he makes it through to achieve enough for his chosen A/Ls there will be a celebratory dinner out, but if not (I'm really hoping this won't be the case) I'm not sure yet what the general mood will be like at home.

FriendlyGreenAlien · 20/08/2025 08:22

DD has asked for good strong footwear for college as she will be walking more. She has Docs in mind.

Original poster
GSCECelebrations · 19/08/2025 22:51

Is anyone else’s child wanting a whole new wardrobe for college? To make a good impression and to leave behind the school persona. I think she’s watching too many American rich kid dramas! I don’t know where she gets her ideas from sometimes but I admire her aspirations at times. It’s good to dream my mum would say. Champagne dreams on a rola cola budget 🤣

OP posts:
BumpyaDaisyevna · 19/08/2025 22:33

We are going out to celebrate to a restaurant my DD loves, my parents and my sister are also coming.
I’ve got a canvas Longchamp tote bag to give her as a gift - she wants one for 6th form but at the moment thinks she has to save for it herself. So she will be chuffed I know 🤩🤣

MyOtherProfile · 19/08/2025 22:28

We did what we always do for any kind of celebration or occasion - we went for dinner at a restaurant of their choosing.

SE13Mummy · 19/08/2025 22:25

DC1 was given a Jellycat on the morning of their GCSE results day as a 'well done for working hard for your exams' gift. They didn't do anything else celebratory with us as they went off to their summer job, followed by a loud gathering at a friend's.

DC2 has requested a 'working hard Jellycat' having claimed it's a tradition. They haven't decided what they want to do after collecting results but their friends are all going to enrol for sixth form at their school whereas DC2 is going elsewhere. Nandos has been mentioned, possibly, maybe but there won't be any parties.

FKAT · 19/08/2025 22:24

We've done a reward per grade thing (kind of regretting it but it was to motivate revision back in the dark days of March) plus DS and friends are going to take advantage of the Free Food promos are doing - this research is all he's been doing all week. Gordon Ramsay is apparently the best offer.

We'll go to a restaurant on Friday - regardless of the result. This year's cohort was the most damaged (educationally, psychologically, socially) by the pandemic. If they've got through GCSEs, regardless of grades, they should get some love.

Original poster
GSCECelebrations · 19/08/2025 22:23

I have said that the grades are the reward for the hard work but from her dad and her dad’s side I think she wants some recognition more than a distracted well done dear pat on the head. They don’t tend to acknowledge much. She didn’t do much revision or homework in general but all her teachers said she worked very hard in school. She’s naturally bright and that’s just luck really.
I too hate the x amount for x grades. Must cost a fortune for bright students but then some incomes on here are mind blowing for me.
I find that these days (dear Lord I sound ancient) everything is so much more of a big deal and so much more is expected. Christmas, birthdays, hen parties, bloody baby showers and the worst of all “gender reveal” parties. That’s sex, you grabby embarrassment. Everything is a money maker. Coming out cards are now a thing. Happy Mother’s Day from the cat! I digress…
The beach trip sounds idyllic!
Dd has about 2 friends (probably ASD and ADHD but won’t discuss it) so no wild celebrations there. She’s hoping to spend the afternoon drinking with one or both of them then go out for a cheap bite to eat with her dad. You can’t call where they are going a meal as such but it’s nice street type food. I’m left with the day after to do something. Maybe a cream tea with homemade scones and cake as she loves those things.
Even my graduation wasn’t celebrated much so it’s hard to gauge what’s the right level of fuss to make. She’d get a fuss even if she got low grades because to me it’s about the effort they make and getting through the stress that should be rewarded.

OP posts:
Bufftailed · 19/08/2025 22:20

Yeah Nando’s is a good shout with their mates or families @noblegiraffe