Changing school for fifth time

[Feelslikespring2]

My best friends child has been unhappy at secondary school and as a result they have moved school 4 times. Initial reasons being left out of peer group, being bullied etc. They have also recently come out as non binary, this happened at school number 3.

They have been at school number 4 for a short time and I met her today and was told they are taking them out of school AGAIN. No bullying this time they just don't like it. So will now be going to online school.

I am supportive and keep quiet but part of me wants to say that she can't give in to them every time, part of life is going through challenges. Next I'll be told that they aren't logging into class and staying in bed watching TV all day.

AIBU to think school isn't optional like this? I had a hard time at school but turned up everyday and got on with it..

They don’t like it!!!!
Well, hello and welcome to the real world.
How on earth is this poor darling ever going to hold down a job?

None of your beeswax
keep shtum

Your friend won't tell you everything that goes on, so really mind your own business.

I'm sure they will appreciate your judgement.
School can actually be a form of torture for some students, but the consensus seems to be grin and bear it, no matter the cost to the students well being.
It's not necessarily a sign of good health to fit into a limiting and restricting environment such as school.
Many of the most successful people in the world jumped ship early.

I agree with you, maybe more support and guidance around managing situations would be helpful, rather than withdrawing from school based education.

It's none of your business.

Many of the most successful people in the world jumped ship early.

did they though? I think what you mean is that there are a few famous outliers. It’s also ignores the fact that in order to (eg) drop out of MIT to pursue their dot.com unicorn they actually got into MIT in the first place.

You can't possibly know the full extent of what is going on here. Naturally you are concerned for your friend and her child, but the only helpful thing you can do is listen and support her. It is not your place to pass judgement and I don't really know what you expect from this forum?

It's hard to say whether there's some very real issues (such as emotionally based school avoidance or ongoing mental health issues) or they're raising a child with no resilience and knee-jerk moving them at the first sign of a roadbump.

Whatever the cause the parents would do well to consider appropriate social interaction offline as well. It can be very easy for teens to end up with their only social interaction to be online and with virtual friends, which isn't likely to prepare them for later life.

As a friend, you're best keeping out of it beyond polite conversation. There might be more behind the scenes or they might be permissive pushovers, but giving your opinion is unlikely to go down well.

Online school seems like a fair option. Also, MYOB