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Original poster

Support group for GCSE traumatised mothers; how much moodiness are you sucking up right now?

135 replies

Isaidheyhoney · 18/05/2010 22:59

Personally I'm finding it very hard on me. I keep taking an emotional hit every time I ask about revision. What has helped has been to get dh on board, but he is a bit work-obsessed himself at the moment.

Anyone else?

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Original poster
Isaidheyhoney · 26/05/2010 22:43

I cracked today and had a nag, which did not go down well. Subsequently went upstairs during supposed revision time and found ds dozing...

The real problem is that he is just so obsessed with computer gaming that everything else takes a back seat. (I nag partly so I can come on MN fgs!) When you see me here ds is either "revising" or gone to bed.

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Jopeg · 26/05/2010 20:41

Found glasses and three black pens, two of which I have put aside in case of accident! Next exam is after half term and then she has a lot back to back.

Had words this morning, we sorted out her paperwork which apparently disrupted her revision plans, but then she did a Maths paper, marked it herself this afternoon and says she did badly, at this stage that is probably a good thing.

She keeps going into school to revise so no idea what she is up to...

Original poster
Isaidheyhoney · 26/05/2010 13:41

The govt might have abolished them by then - no money to pay the invigilators! Anyway all the kids will be up chimneys, paying their way.

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NoahAndTheWhale · 25/05/2010 23:35

I do

And taking the one who was sick to the nurse. He was v sad

My DC are 6 and 4 and feels weird to think in 10 years time (less actually as they do modules in year 10 and maybe year 9) they will be doing their GCSEs

Original poster
Isaidheyhoney · 25/05/2010 22:35

Do you spend your time sending them positive vibes, Noah, and breathing fairy dust onto any that appear to be struggling? [wishful mummy thinking]

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NoahAndTheWhale · 25/05/2010 22:31

I was invigilating English Lit today - one student got a nose bleed, another was sick (luckily made it outside the exam hall) and many needed tissues. They all seemed to be writing for nearly all the exam which I presume bodes well.

Where I am we have spare black pens for anyone needing them but no calculators. Think I am doing Chemistry tomorrow.

Original poster
Isaidheyhoney · 25/05/2010 22:28

God knows I'm trying not to stress ds, but I have to bite my tongue about a million times a day. It'll be much more difficult when it's dd's turn - ds is largely immune to me anyway. And dd won't hesitate to blame me, either...I hope you're bearing up, Jopeg.

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Jopeg · 25/05/2010 16:16

Eve sorry your daughter was ill, hope she's feeling better soon.

Snorkie apparently it was me who was 'stressing' her, she went in with two pens but no glasses, borrowed her sisters watch because she wouldn't have been able to see the clock. Just heard it went better than the mock - damned with faint praise I think!

sharbieinbackofthequattro · 25/05/2010 15:49

Both DCs back home here after dentists.
Eng lit went well -DS said he wrote '12 sides mum' (hope its not all waffle!).
Now we can relax a bit til we get stuck into half term revision.

Eve hope your DD feels better - such a horrible time to be ill.

Remotew · 25/05/2010 15:33

They said they would take it into consideration. She completed about 80%. Next one isn't until after half term so hopefully she will be fully recovered.

Hope everyone else is coping OK.

Original poster
Isaidheyhoney · 25/05/2010 15:16

Presumably the school will sort something out, Abouteve? Actually I don't know quite what they do - can the school provide her mocks result and the exam board base the exam score on that plus what she managed to do???

Exams are just so daft with regard to illness. So frustrating for you and her. Hope she's feeling better!

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Remotew · 25/05/2010 14:34

English Lit today and DD had to leave part way through, ill. She finished it off but 'missed loads out'! Great start. Only 9 more to go.

Original poster
Isaidheyhoney · 25/05/2010 14:26

I got a flurry of emails late last night about whether they needed to take in the books for Eng lit. One mum was ringing a teacher to find out - I can just imagine the teachers saying to the kids: "Can't you control your mothers?" However, it all seemed to go pretty well in the end. I am rather proud of myself for keeping so calm! (On the surface.)

Ds said his hand got tired, writing for one and three quarter hours. He has a funny pencil grip, which should've been sorted out about ten years ago if his mum had been more vigilant and it doesn't help. Anyone know any remedies for hand tiredness, with history looming after half-term?

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snorkie · 25/05/2010 13:49

Oh no Jopeg! Hope it didn't panic her. Did she go off OK & with the right kit in the end? My dd is like this if it's any consolation - luckily she's not doing exams this year though.

ajandjjmum · 25/05/2010 13:02

Don't you just love 'em Jopeg.

So far DD tells us she has got 'E's or 'U's in all of her AS levels!!! - still, four down, three to go.

Gets no easier past GCSE's.

Jopeg · 25/05/2010 12:46

First written exam today, I was told about an hour in advance that black biros that don't click were required, of course all we had was blue. Discovered that she hasn't had her English Lit books out of her bag since Saturday and then she lost her glasses - does not bode well!

sharbieinbackofthequattro · 24/05/2010 21:57

Thanks Honey - keeping everything crossed for everyone.

Original poster
Isaidheyhoney · 24/05/2010 21:51

Good luck to everyone tomorrow.

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bourboncreme · 24/05/2010 11:55

My ds has Eng lit ,chem and physics this week.He is hoping to do eng lit for a level and I do wonder how much of a look in chem and Physics are getting at the mo.

He has chosen to go into school today which i think is a good thing,he has to be in uniform though and it is baking hot so not sure how helpful that will be

snorkie · 24/05/2010 11:31

Ds finishes on Monday 21st. While there are parties planned, I don't think they are planned for that evening as he ends with a minority subject. I wonder how you handle end of exam parties that occur before your dc has finished?

Isaidhey, you are probably quite right about needing a shove for subjects he doesn't like. I remember for me it was an enormous relief to give them up in the sixth form and much easier to get motivated from then on - I suppose everyone's different, but I think it works that way for a lot.

Original poster
Isaidheyhoney · 24/05/2010 11:08

Mine finishes on a Friday, 25 June, and I assume they'll all go out and celebrate somewhere together.

I've reassured him that I'll be totally hands off with his A levels, not least because they are subjects about which I know nothing! so he can celebrate an end to the tyranny of mother, as well as exams. My concern with GCSEs has been that he tends to just ignore subjects he doesn't like that much, so my tyranny is simply to get him to jump through the hoops he least likes.

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sharbieinbackofthequattro · 23/05/2010 23:26

My agreement with DS is that I would be happy with Bs but, I am secretly hoping for a few As in there as I know he is completely capable of getting them.
That's the frustrating thing.

MmeTrueBlueberry · 23/05/2010 23:24

My DS has English Lit, Chemistry and Physics this week. He should get close to 100% in his sciences, but I do worry about his English. He might only get a B with his attitude.

sharbieinbackofthequattro · 23/05/2010 23:16

Oh yes I too have taken a keyboard out in the car with me.We have eng lit too on Tues.
I haven't thought about celebrating but expect will go out for dinner of his choosing (mac ds prob!).I have been a bit lenient this weekend because of the heat and he does seem tired.
On tues he has to go and have his braces fitted - he has just had 4 teeth out in prep so it'll be a tough week for him.
I'll be back to cracking the whip on wed tho.

MmeTrueBlueberry · 23/05/2010 22:23

I have one child doing A2s and the other doing ASs. When I ask about their exams, they won't even tell me what they are taking and when. Fortunately, I do have a printout of DS2's modules which I have photocopied and attached to the fridge. I have horrid nightmares that they won't show for their exams and their futures going down the pan.

I have not allowed DS2 to take study leave so he has been going to school every day. The alternative would be for me to remove all the power cords from our TVs/computers/console games and take them to work with me (I have done this before).

I have this rollercoaster from both sides as I am a teacher and have just seen the back of Year 11. I despair for them but hope that they will rise to the occasion in the next couple of weeks. It does seem to work out every year, but I think I am feeling more involved this year because my own DS is putting me through the wringer. DS1 was fine two years ago and I really can't remember worrying (much).