Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Help! Teen DS slipping grades at school and general teen angst

4 replies

BooksLox · 10/01/2025 17:14

DS13 year 9, was great at primary. He loves learning, reading at home, participated in class, top of the class.

Fast forward to year 9, his target grades of A*/ As has gone down to CS/ Ds. I had parents evening last night, and across the board he has dropped in effort, homework completion and just slacking.

At home, he has no hobbies. He used to attend swimming football and another club which he's dropped slowly all of over the last few years. He refuses to replace this with any other hobby / club. His only hobby is playing on the PS / phone.

I've found a nearby club which offer a DoE bronze award which his school doesn't. It's a great place and an opportunity to get something on his CV but he's not interested.

He gets very angry / defensive if I ask him about school /!bring up the topic of hobbies etc.

I am worried as he is very quiet and shy and him withdrawing isn't going to help. Alot of his teachers have mentioned he's very quiet and doesn't participate in class, only if he picked to answer. He also doesn't ask for help so they don't know if he's struggling. He lacks confidence.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What's the best way forward. I feel that he needs to pull his socks up now otherwise it might be too late to improve his grades. And I also want him to develop his confidence too.

OP posts:
xmasdealhunter · 10/01/2025 17:21

To me it sounds like something larger is at play (rather than just that he doesn't want to put effort in) and he might need a little support. Does he open up to you much?

BooksLox · 10/01/2025 17:48

@xmasdealhunter what are you thinking might be at play?

He's never been one to really open up to me but since starting high school, he's definitely dropped his communication with me. He definitely isn't getting bullied at school. He has small bunch of nice friends. He also has a younger brother at the school so if there were any issues, I would know.

I think he's lost motivation and just can't really be bothered. He's not interested in anything but I feel if I can find something he enjoys outside of school, it would help his confidence and motivation.

OP posts:
xmasdealhunter · 10/01/2025 18:30

I might be making a jump but to me it sounds as if he's depressed (the withdrawing both from school/activities and in general), the lack of interest in doing external activities. It could also just be that he can't be bothered/ being a typical teenager though, you know him best and I definitely can't say through a screen!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 10/01/2025 19:03

Well it just sound like he's addicted to his phone and PS to me.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page