To think DS needs to revise on holiday?

[JustinAndrew]

We go away in a few days (to Spain) and most of it will be spent relaxing. Exams are pretty much on his doorstep as soon as he is back. AIBU to think he should be doing some revision while on holiday?

[Ragwort]

Hulababy - I was referring to myself at 12/13 when I said I would never have gone on holiday with my parents - I just wouldn't have. However we are taking our 16 year old on holiday this year but it has been a struggle to find something we will all enjoy. Obviously I can't say for sure but I would hope by the time he is 18/19 he will want to be holidaying with friends or doing summer camps as a young leader or similar. I don't expect to be taking my grown up child on holiday in the future.

When I was a university student (in the 70s) I used to work in the holidays so again, wouldn't have gone on holiday with my parents. In those days many of us would go off inter-railing, volunteering etc with friends for holidays - perhaps times change?

I appreciate every family is different - neither is right or wrong but I was just expressing my personal views - as I said earlier, I do actually now holiday with my elderly parents .

[catlover1987]

I remember going on holiday over the easter holidays and taking textbooks and past papers with me. I didn't mind so much and just sat on the balcony in the sun.

[Emphasise]

How do you avoid family holidays at 12yo

My teens get plenty of freedom to do their own thing, but they also seem to genuinely enjoy being at home and on holiday with family. That can't be a bad thing.

[Ontopofthesunset]

Missing the point of the thread... So Ragwort, your parents left you at home at the age of 12 when they went on holiday? How bizarre and probably illegal now. Most of the older teenagers I know still go on holiday with their parents sometimes and with their friends when money permits.

My children have often had homework and sometimes revision to take with them on holiday, though we haven't gone away for more than a weekend before any major exams eg GCSES, A levels.

[Phantommagic]

A few dedicated souls may revise well on holiday. Most 18 year old will struggle and will prefer sun, swimming and drinking.

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

YABVU. Its his holiday as well. You expect him to be revising while you're basking in the sun and frolicking in the pool.
God alone knows What possessed you to book a holiday at such a crucial time

[KoalaDownUnder]

God alone knows What possessed you to book a holiday at such a crucial time

Gosh, the drama.

The DS is an 18-year-old adult. Why would his parents need to plan their holidays around his exam times?!

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

Well seeing as he's an 18 year old adult. His parents should not really be dictating when hr revises.
They can't be adults one minute and children the next.

[KoalaDownUnder]

I agree with you on that!

I just disagree with the posters on this thread chastising the 'selfish' parents for booking a holiday when an adult DS is doing exams. He can come or not come, revise it not revise, as he wishes.

[Badbadbunny]

It's HIS future at stake. If he doesn't want to revise then it's him who risks lower grades and reduced future choices in terms of further education and careers. Revising during a holiday isn't a punishment - it's him it will affect so either he's motivated enough to want to do his best or he isn't and risks taking his chances.

But I do agree, it's not a good time to go away on holiday. Even the most motivated student will struggle to revise when everyone around them is enjoying themselves doing fun things. Perhaps you can arrange the days so that there's time for fun but also quiet time when revision can happen - after all, no-one needs to be revising all day, every day - 2 or 3 hours per day is probably fine, maybe in the evening if you can organise an early evening meal so that there are 2/3 hours between your meal and bedtime where some serious revision could happen.

[Crunchyside]

I think a chilled out holiday in the sun is actually the perfect environment for revising

[Phantommagic]

I just feel sorry for the teachers who will have to explain any less than expected results.

[ErrolTheDragon]

I'm really looking forward to next year being allowed to go on holiday with DH easter and May, if we want - no longer 'staff' for DD. ( I work half time, DH is retired so honestly, she's working way harder than we are at the moment). And also looking forward to the start of the July when we can all go sailing together!

She's not working all the time during this break - its about balance, isn't it, and you hope that by 18 they've figured out for themselves what works for them. If the OP's DS is having to retake AS it sounds as though maybe he's behind the curve on this and needs a bit more active support. Maybe it wasn't a great idea to plan a holiday right now, not without a clear idea of whether that would allow him sufficient work time.

[SallyGinnamon]

The DS is an 18-year-old adult. Why would his parents need to plan their holidays around his exam times?!

Ummm. Because we love them and want to be able to enjoy the time together? Why plan it at a difficult time for one member of the family?

I wouldn't book a hol at the tax year end and say 'Sorry DH you'll need to spend each morning skyping work because it's a really busy time but hay ho it suits the rest of us!'

We book at a good time for everyone.

[SallyGinnamon]

I think a chilled out holiday in the sun is actually the perfect environment for revising 

Or it's even better AFTER the exams for chilling out and a reward for lots of hard work.

[KoalaDownUnder]

Borders - if that's what works for you and your adult child, great.

I was referring to the fact that some posters think parents should never plan a holiday for themselves without fitting it around their grown children's exam timetables.

Which is, frankly, bollocks.