DSS saying he wants to quit sixth form and I don’t know what to do

[StressedOutOctober]

He’s just come in from KFC and said he’s done with sixth form he can’t do it anymore and wants to just work full time I honestly feel sick writing this I knew he was struggling but he’s only just restarted Y12 and it’s only been a few weeks 😭 I don’t know what to do at all I don’t want him wasting his life but he’s adamant it’s too much pressure and he’s tired all the time from working shifts as well

DP just said he needs to man up and get on with it which is easy for him to say he never helps with homework or goes to parents evening I’m the one who does all that I just feel like it’s all on me again and I’m not even his mum officially but I’m the one worrying sick while DP shrugs

AIBU to think he should at least try stick it out for the year and see how he goes or am I just forcing him into something he can’t do I don’t want to be the evil stepmum but I’m panicking he’ll throw everything away before he’s even started

Education will always be there. A levels are not the answer to everything.

If he is enjoying being at KFC and has a good work ethic, then he should pack in his A levels and see what opportunities there are at KFC. They offer a wide variety of apprenticeships and opportunities for further (related) studies.

Friend of mine packed in A levels to carry on working at Macdonalds and worked his way up to Regional Manager earning £55k. They sent him on loads of courses and he gained lots of qualifications along the way on top of all the work experience. He is about to move to Australia to take up senior operations manager role in a different sector.

A levels and Uni are not the only route to a good career and I say that as someone who only got 2 GCSE’s, no A levels and no degree, but have a fantastic career and earning a very good salary.

My ds quit sixth form at the beginning of Y13, he had long covid, ME/CFS & his mental health was suffering. He had 2 years off then applied for a degree course with foundation year at Sheffield University studying Mplan in Urban Studies & Planning, he got accepted, has just done his foundation year & aced it all coming out top in his cohort, he started his degree proper last week & loves his course as it presses all the right buttons for things he loves, social sciences, geography & the planning of new developments. He will be a chartered planner when he gets his degree. Let your ds have some time to think about what he really wants to do, while he is working, he is earning, don't look at it as the end of his education, just a pause.