Struggles with non academic children

[Iwonder777]

I feel terrible for writing this but 2 of my 3 kids are not academic and helping them with their work is a real struggle. I'm frustrated. But not showing it... yet.

I don't think I had quite grasped how hard they were finding concepts. In most subjects. Not that they have been under any pressure to perform - these are my inner musings, but I guess I didn't really struggle at school and hadnt quite realised how hard they were finding things - genuinely.

I also feel like crap as I'm not a teacher so helping them is a challenge.

I don't even know what I'm writing, I'm just frustrated - as I somehow feel I have let them down by not working on things with them before now. Not that they've said or teachers raised much.

Also, very grateful for teachers. I am missing you all ! 🦸‍♀️

I would get them to prioritise. My youngest was never going to pass most of her GCSEs, so we agreed which ones she would try for, and which ones she would just ignore. She's now doing a Level 3 BTEC and is on track to do well. Apprenticeships are another good alternative, as many "non traditionally academic" kids can still do well learning a trade. There are different levels of apprenticeships, so they could start at a level 2 (equivalent to GCSE), of if they've done well enough at GCSE, start at level 3 (equivalent to A levels).

It might also be worth talking to the school to see if there might be any processing issues as part of dyslexia.

It's great that you're not putting pressure on them - just keep reminding them that you're proud of them, that you recognise that it's really difficult to focus with everything going on at the moment, and that they will find their "thing" - which may not be related to the subjects that they are studying at the moment. My husband failed his Maths, got very few GCSEs, but found that he was fantastic with computers, and now has a well paid career in IT

Thanks for the wise words / duly taken on board xx

Posted too soon

I don’t think I ever had to try to learn to read. It just happened. I found it straightforward to acquire that skill. One of my kids does not and it’s unexpected.