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My son won't go to school.. im in shit for it

427 replies

Notoschool · 25/01/2022 10:31

My son is 14. He's been refusing school since around September. He's probably been 5 or 6 times since. He gives lots of different reasons such as he does not like the teacher . Or he feels anxious in the class. He hates the lesson. His reasons seem to change.

He has been self harming by cutting himself. He's been offered counselling at school.but as hes not going to school that's not happening. We have asked for help from camhs that was refused. So we have appealed. We found another counselling/support service for young people they are giving him 3 sessions. And that ends. As they are reducing their services. At the moment we have some support from early help but apparently that comes to a close in around 3 weeks.

My son has been very aggressive to the point he scares me. He's done things like smash up the doors in the house put holes in a partition wall. He's also verbally aggressive.

Recently the school offered him part time time table. To start at 11.15 . He agreed with this . Apart from the Monday where he wanted to start at lunchtime. The school refused this . But I really stood up for ds . As I thought this was better than not going at all. I agree its not right but surely a step in the right direction. His body language had changed and his tone. I really thought he was going to do it . So he went to school on the Friday. Come Monday He's refusing again I actually agued his point with the school so now it's made me look really bad and now he's made it impossible for me to have any valued say in a meeting that's going to happen in a few days.

Hes always asking for money to top his phone up. For food when he's out. Or just general things that teens often want . He wanted money Friday. I said once I know your at school I will transfer you money. Then on Tuesday as long as you have been to school on the Monday and Tuesday. I will top up your phone. But he did not stick to this agreement. So I have not topped up his phone. He told me how selfish I am . And said to me things like: "you only have to do a simple thing. It's like you want me to cut." He has said several similar things.

I'm actually frightened that because I'm refusing to give him money or top up his phone he's going to become very aggressive later on.

The school have told me there is going to be a meeting the local authorities will be there. I have been told I can get a large fine. Could get a tag or even go to prison . My son has told me he does not care. I'm told the law says its my responsibility to get him to school but no one can actually tell me how I can get him in school. He's 14 and 6ft tall I can't physically get him there.

I'm really scared of this whole situation. But I feel totally trapped in the situation and don't know what to do. My son just won't engage.

OP posts:
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SunshineOnKeith · 25/01/2022 21:27

Setting boundaries won't solve these kind of behavioural problems. Addressing the cause of the anxiety is the only way to resolve it.

I absolutely agree that the anxiety needs to be addressed.
But anxiety doesn't cause threats to cut when you don't get money, or drive you to smash up the house and abuse your siblings if your mum doesn't put money in your phone. Those behaviours are coercive.
The two things can be true at the same time and both need to be addressed.

Atypicaldancer · 25/01/2022 21:30

Some of dd’s behaviour could be seen as coercive - but she was definitely highly anxious. She took an overdose once because I said I wanted her phone at night (as she wasn’t sleeping).

oakleaffy · 25/01/2022 21:32

@SunshineOnKeith

Setting boundaries won't solve these kind of behavioural problems. Addressing the cause of the anxiety is the only way to resolve it.

I absolutely agree that the anxiety needs to be addressed.
But anxiety doesn't cause threats to cut when you don't get money, or drive you to smash up the house and abuse your siblings if your mum doesn't put money in your phone. Those behaviours are coercive.
The two things can be true at the same time and both need to be addressed.

Sunshine, I agree with you.

I lived as a teenager in a hostel {which is still going strong today} with kids who had no where else to go, and these behaviours are definitely very manipulative and coercive.

MissMaple82 · 25/01/2022 21:32

I've been through very similar circumstances. As long as you engage with the school and cooperate nothing bad will happen. My son was exactly the same, absolutely hated school. Left school not having done his exams as wouldn't go, he is almost 19 now and got a job as soon as he "left" school and he's a completely different person and has made me so proud, I didn't think he would hold down a job but he has from the get go. Unless you've been through this, nobody can appreciate how hard it is.

lifeturnsonadime · 25/01/2022 21:32

But anxiety doesn't cause threats to cut when you don't get money, or drive you to smash up the house and abuse your siblings if your mum doesn't put money in your phone. Those behaviours are coercive.

OP has said : 'once I know your at school I will transfer you money.'

The money is therefore linked to the school anxiety. That in itself is coercive although I don't blame OP you do anything to try to get your child to go to school to start with.

Notoschool · 25/01/2022 21:33

@Atypicaldancer

I had this with Dd. She’s just been diagnosed with ASD. If I tried to force her to go to school she would harm herself and end up in hospital. Thankfully her school were supportive and didn’t threaten me, I think that would have been the last straw.
You just reminded me. On one of the days ds was in school. He went missing staff were looking for him. And he was found self harming in the toilets. Sad
OP posts:
MissMaple82 · 25/01/2022 21:36

It's the school that can issue fines from the council and start the prosecution route rolling, it all boils down to their discretion. I was threatened with the same, that's why it's so important to communicate and keep them in the loop, as long as you do that and show your trying uts highly unlikely they will take that route. Don't let the threats take over you, just do as much as you can.

lifeturnsonadime · 25/01/2022 21:37

with kids who had no where else to go, and these behaviours are definitely very manipulative and coercive

And saying "I will only top up your phone if you go to school all week' when school is causing a fight or flight response isn't coercive?

I'm sorry, Oakleafy, that you've had troubles growing up but it doesn't make you an expert on school anxiety and how to address it.

Atypicaldancer · 25/01/2022 21:39

I pursued a private ASD assessment. Turns out Dd had significant cognitive processing issues and poor working memory as well as autism. School was overwhelming and distressing for her, but she couldn’t articulate what the problem was. I figured if it wasn’t ASD, the psychologists would give me some insight into what was troubling her. In my experience, school suddenly become willing to help once there is a diagnosis.

Notoschool · 25/01/2022 21:44

@lifeturnsonadime

But anxiety doesn't cause threats to cut when you don't get money, or drive you to smash up the house and abuse your siblings if your mum doesn't put money in your phone. Those behaviours are coercive.

OP has said : 'once I know your at school I will transfer you money.'

The money is therefore linked to the school anxiety. That in itself is coercive although I don't blame OP you do anything to try to get your child to go to school to start with.

I don't know if it matters but this was basically lunch money which I said I won't put in till I know he's at school. Well to be exact he was in the shop close to the school but I thought it was more likely he would go .
OP posts:
mummykel16 · 25/01/2022 21:54

Good luck op but remember these people will do everything they can to avoid giving you the help they are paid to give

lifeturnsonadime · 25/01/2022 21:55

Notoschool others on here have mentioned PDA and I think it might be worth you looking at it.

When you're anxious any 'demand' causes heightened anxiety, my son was once considered manipulative because he behaved in similar ways that you describe when he was overwhelmed by school due to undiagnosed SEN, basically he'd masked Autism and SPD very well until he couldn't any more. He lashed out, often at me or at our home. He broke TV's bashed down doors and tried to swerve my car onto oncoming traffic to avoid going to school. Setting boundaries would have been a further demand. I, at times, felt at risk and posted on here with similar responses to some you have had about it being a behavioural issue and basically criticising my parenting.

Fast forward 5 years, he is now on anxiety meds, is about to take GCSEs and has applied to college. Removing the cause of the anxiety and addressing the trauma has taken away ALL of the behavioural problems. The only thing he needs to be mindful of in the future is that he doesn't allow his anxiety to overwhelm him. He is not a menace to anyone. He was a child who was speaking through his behaviour because he didn't have the skills to say the words for how he felt so lashed out at those he loved.

I'm not sure whether what you say about the money makes a difference but what I do know is that reward can be perceived as a demand. So saying you will only do x if they do y can often back fire.

Be gentile on your self and his siblings. This is tough but it won't be forever.

PM me if you would like to.

Littlefish · 25/01/2022 22:36

Is this the Facebook group you've joined? If not, maybe add it to your list. Good luck.

My son won't go to school.. im in shit for it
StaplesCorner · 26/01/2022 00:36

Where I live Early Help are the local authority; but most areas an Independent Advice Service - often called SENDIASS but depends where you live - who will give impartial advice. They can provide someone to attend the meeting with you. All you need to apply for an EHCP is the suspicion that your child MAY have additional needs, the LA will then pay for an educational psychologist. And yes many children of your son's age are on medication and if he anxiety that may help.

NickiMinajerie · 26/01/2022 00:50

Virtual hugs.
I have physically fireman lifted my son to school. I have physically thrown him into my car and hoped he would not kill me on the way.
I have carried him, kicking and screaming into the corridor.
He is 8.
Fortunately, it is occurring less now but that is not to say it will not reoccur come secondary. No chance of me being able to manhandle an anxious, aggressive, strapping teen in then. Not a chance in hell.
I would invite the EWO and school attendance officer to your home and like to see them try.

itsgettingweird · 26/01/2022 07:02

Sadly those who think they are the best at parenting because they have never been through a situation like this always think that 'common sense' prevails without realising that their parenting techniques would inflame the situation and put those involved at risk of more harm.

Exactly. We also need to live away from thinking these young people behave this way through choice.

Does anyone seriously believe a child behaving like this happy? Enjoying life? So they really think they behave this way because it makes them feel better?

itsgettingweird · 26/01/2022 07:13

Life glad your ds is doing so well. My ds also use to do that in the car. My ds is quite demand avoidant. Even when we have big diy jobs at home we plan a time to start - give the countdown etc. as soon as the time arrives and I say he'll reply "oh I was just about to take shower". Every single time! It's like a learnt survival avoidance technique!
Luckily he's in such a good place nowadays he'll accept my suggestion that a shower after physical Labour is probably the better order!

People really do confuse manipulative with those trying to survive by having control over themselves and their lives.

I suspect this is what Nots ds feels? No phone credit without being able to do X. Makes X harder to comply with because it comes with strings attached. That's not to condone the behaviour nor to suggest he gets what he wants all the time. But people really need to understand the behaviour and why Not is acting as she does for their families survival.

LumosSolem · 26/01/2022 07:56

@itsgettingweird

Sadly those who think they are the best at parenting because they have never been through a situation like this always think that 'common sense' prevails without realising that their parenting techniques would inflame the situation and put those involved at risk of more harm.

Exactly. We also need to live away from thinking these young people behave this way through choice.

Does anyone seriously believe a child behaving like this happy? Enjoying life? So they really think they behave this way because it makes them feel better?

Spot on @itsgettingweird.

I was in a real mess when I wasn't attending school. Not happy and felt completely trapped. It's so difficult to be in that position as a child. Children have to attend school- they don't have choices. If an adult is unhappy at work it's far easier to move jobs, or if they are struggling badly with mental health to be signed off. It's shocking than there isn't better strategies for children who are suffering- especially in 2022, where things appear to have gone backwards from my experiences 20 years ago. Although I think in part I was lucky because I had a good school, there seem to be so many poor ones now though.

Rubyupbeat · 26/01/2022 08:31

I am no help, but I totally sympathise. I can understand if young children dont go to school, then yes, the parents should be penalised. But those with secondary school age kids, well, how can you physically get them to school? As for a pp who says you are enabling your son and should shove him out of the door in his uniform, WHAT?? How do you dress and physically shove a young man out?
I really hope you get the help you both need, best wishes.

SoTiredNeedHoliday · 26/01/2022 08:33

@SunshineOnKeith

Setting boundaries won't solve these kind of behavioural problems. Addressing the cause of the anxiety is the only way to resolve it.

I absolutely agree that the anxiety needs to be addressed.
But anxiety doesn't cause threats to cut when you don't get money, or drive you to smash up the house and abuse your siblings if your mum doesn't put money in your phone. Those behaviours are coercive.
The two things can be true at the same time and both need to be addressed.

@SunshineOnKeith & @oakleaffy you clearly don't understand the impact anxiety, mood disorders or panic attacks can have on people let alone young teens who have a far lower ability to control their emotions.
Imagine you were forced into the worst scenario you can think of - as an adult I'm sure you wouldn't hurt anyone or damage property but a teen very well could to stop them having to face a situation that is traumatic. They are out of control with emotions and they are scared and they are children.
itsgettingweird · 26/01/2022 08:36

Totally agree. I'm so sorry you went though this.

The day I told my ds he never had to set foot in his academy again (after trying to hang himself) was the day it all stopped. It didn't just go away. He took time to heal and he would still have meltdowns. But he never tried to end it all again. He smiled, he laughed. (My ds is autistic so there's always going to be a level of struggle).

I then almost had a breakdown of my own. I wished I'd done it sooner. Wished I not allowed others to yell me what was best for my son and what I should be doing. I don't think the guilt I have from that will ever go away.

That's why I'm so defensive for not. No one should be making her feel like what she's thinking and doing is wrong. We do what we think and feel is best and it's often fighting against everybody. Every different service wants you to do different things but it mainly centres around getting the child into school for attendance figures. It rarely features around what's best for the child and what will help long term.

This is a very unhappy teenage boy with his whole life ahead of him. A very unhappy teenage boy who is fighting for control and this is manifested through unacceptable behaviours and actions. This is a teenage boy who needs to hear the adults are on his side. They understand him. They want to help him. They want him to feel safe and secure and so he doesn't have to behave this way.

lifeturnsonadime · 26/01/2022 08:50

I then almost had a breakdown of my own. I wished I'd done it sooner. Wished I not allowed others to yell me what was best for my son and what I should be doing. I don't think the guilt I have from that will ever go away.

Me too. I feel awful that I listened to 'common sense' and further traumatised my child who needed to know that my love was unconditional. I am sure I have a form of PTSD from being the target of the outbursts from him when he wasn't coping at the same time as being judged by the school and other parents for having a child with mental health issues which they all saw as bad behaviour or as some kind of weakness on my part.

We don't treat children as fully human. Children do not behave this way and single themselves out as different because there is anything in it for them. My child is deeply embarrassed that he couldn't cope in school. In some ways covid has been a leveller because every child has now had periods of being educated at home. He no longer feels embarrassed to be out in the school day. The scars run deep.

SoTiredNeedHoliday · 26/01/2022 09:58

@lifeturnsonadime I am sure I have a form of PTSD from being the target of the outbursts from him when he wasn't coping at the same time as being judged by the school and other parents for having a child with mental health issues which they all saw as bad behaviour or as some kind of weakness on my part.

Thanks for being so open and helping others through tough times by hearing about your experience and that you are seeing positive change now. Heartbreaking to go through though

Namechangehereandnow · 26/01/2022 13:35

OP …. Take a look at the SN boards, start a thread there. You’ll get all the useful help you’ve had on here, plus more, WITHOUT some of the utter sheer crap you’ve also had on here (that comes from those with ZERO understanding of SN)

Littlefish · 26/01/2022 16:58

I completely agree with @Namechangehereandnow.

The amount of complete and utter crap being spouted on this thread by some parents who clearly have their head shoved firmly up their own arse is unbelievable.

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