to be ridiculously nervous about DD starting her GCSE years, in September?

[MaureenMLove]

She has so many aspirations and ideas for her future. She has chosen her options well. She has a clear idea (which is pretty great at 14) of what she wants to do and I am so flipping nervous for her!

It's just hit me, like a ton of bricks, that this is what it's all about. I wonder if she feels the same.

She's so flipping laid back, she's horizontal and I'm going to spend the next two years, worrying that she's not going to find it quite so easy as she has up to now.

If her career ideas involve A levels and a degree show her a prospectus of a Uni and what they require for that degree.

This might give her a realistic idea of what she is aiming for in terms of grades.

www.thestudentroom.co.uk is a good website for teenagers (although some of the content is a bit racy) but there is a GCSE section where they discuss what they need/might get/have chosen etc.

She's already done that. She knows what she wants to do, so she looked at the university that would give her the opportunity and worked it back through A levels and GCSE's.

I just hope she doesn't get distracted by peer pressure or godforbid, boys!

I just so want her to be able to achieve her dreams. She seems like she's got it all sussed, but you do worry that something will get in the way, don't you?

Well, you can't predict the future, and who would want to (unless you were certain it would be great).

Like your daughter my (now 21) son knew what he wanted to do from a youngish age. He managed to get glandular fever during his A level exams (v stressful) but still achieved (by some miracle) the grades necessary for his first choice Uni.

It's understandable you feel that way about GCSEs as they are an important stepping stone to other things. However, they aren't so important to completely eclipse every other aspect of her life - including friends and boys.

It might be a good idea (as previously said) to show her a uni prospectus and discuss a-levels etc, but try not to be pushy. Honestly that may backfire!

Reading newspapers about graduates struggling for work annoys me. IMO (and I may be flamed for this), there are too many degrees and not enough suitable jobs. Vocational courses and jobs are just as valuable.

At the end of the day, you can encourage her and nurture her intellect, but you can't take the exams for her. Let her find her own path. Try to relax!

If she's already thought about degree courses, A levels, future careers etc it sounds like she has her head screwed on right. (As long as it's something achievable not "pop star" of course!)

I think all you can do is watch and gently steer occasionally!

Maureen i am with you, my dd is the same age and I am actually horrified that she is now old enough for GCSE. Year 10! Where the bloody hell did all that time go?

DD is very fixed on what she wants from the future, has picked out her A levels, and wants to enter the RAF as an officer at 18. All of which makes me want to have kittens. It is lovely that she has such fixed ideas for the future, but what if something goes wrong

Looking after her as a shrieking toddler was a piece of piss compared to the anxiety a a teenager brings. She is a very good girl - no real cheek, no disobedeince, she is a lovely girl, but she is growing up so fast i can't keep up.

i also selfishly feel at the back of my mind that i don't want her to grow up. I have been a mother my whole adult life - what am I going to do in 4 years when she goes?

Ds is starting his GCSE years in September as well so I understand what you mean.

He wants to finsh at 16 and get to work. He is in the top set at school but sees school as a social club. He got above average marks but could do so well if he didn't do homework on the back of the bloody school bus (and then deny he had homework, or tell me to stop stressing!!)

(sigh!!) There's always something to worry about when you have kids!!!

Ds also year 10 in September - has no idea what he wants to do when he's an adult which is worrying, but has chosen a good academic spread of GCSEs.

Me too, dd will only be in Yr 9 but has been told they will start some coursework. Dd has been ill so much she's missed half of Yr 8 and she had really bad depression last winter. She does have ambitions, but I am not entirely sure she has the physique.

Thanks people! Seems I'm not alone!

I know, what will be, will be. She's gonna be just fine, whatever she does.

She does actually already have the offer of working somewhere, when she's old enough. She is a scuba diver and I can see her disappearing off to our favourite dive centre abroad to work there, 'just while she thinks about life' and not actually leaving!

Hey ho! At least it means I've got to go on holiday somewhere lovely, to see her!

We will ride out yr 10 and 11 together ladies! And you are so right, Getorfmoiland! Toddlers are a piece of piss, compared to teenagers!

As I understand it, relative to when you 'orrible lot did O levels, GCSEs/A Levels today are a tad easier and far easier to prepare for, therefore if bright and capable straight A* is a very reasonable target. Make sure she works hard and she'll be fine.