We are forgetting about our children

[Iris2212]

We are forgetting about our children, in particular, the ones who are meant to be doing GCSEs and A-Levels this summer.

They don't even know if they will be sitting the exams as planned. They have to try to revise even though it feels like the whole world is collapsing around them.

They might not get the long summer they were promised. They might not get to go on all the holidays they were looking forward to.

Some can't even go to school to finish the course due to the government's self-isolation policy.

Exams are stressful enough without us forgetting about our children.

[noblegiraffe]

Forgetting them? I’m still teaching them.

Got a bunch of marking to do tonight in fact.

[TeaAndASitDown]

I've not forgotten about them. Mine just started school, and is now off isolating, and I think therefore has now prematurely finished his reception year. I'm gutted for him. I'm gutted for them all, every age, that this is their reality.

And I'm gutted for the older and vulnerable people who may well die.

And for healthcare workers here who are about to witness hell.

Nobody's being forgotten. It's awful for everyone.

[littlebillie]

I feel very sad for those that have studied. Most likely exams will not happen and lives and directions will be changed. This is not something that will be forgotten or dismissed. Many teenagers will be very confused by the news and the insistence to be in school.

I think we forget sometimes that our problems are our own. They are allowed to feel let down and sad by this as many adults will too for different reasons. Many young people will not have experienced loss, this will probably be the first time that many will pass.

I feel for them as I feel for the over 70's as it is very scary difficult time.

[kingofkings]

I wonder if OP means what crossed my mind tonight and was pretty much stated on channel 4 news -

'We have to keep schools open, because we don't want HCPs to be at home with their children as we need them at work.'

As HCPs it's also been made clear we won't be self isolating unless we are actually ill - or there would be no doctors in work to care fir patients

[GarlicSoup]

Giver yer head a wobble OP

[Duchessofblandings]

I’m confused about the concern over GCSEs and A levels. Our youngest took theirs last summer and were at home on study leave from mid-March anyway, course teaching had finished by then (in England). Is it not the same this year? If they can’t take exams as scheduled - and every age group is being asked to make huge sacrifices as we all try to get through this - they will be rescheduled, probably for September, with appropriate adjustments for Sixth Form and university start dates. Everyone will be in the same boat and no-one at a disadvantage.

[NeckPainChairSearch]

I am hoping that long term this experience will have a positive effect on mental health and teenagers will realise that there are more important things than exams

I think there's some truth in this. Perhaps there can be a kind of positive mental health reset for many teenagers, somehow.

[kingofkings]

Well if the exams are as late as September I don't know if they would get into their uni year or be deferred

[TrainspottingWelsh]

Shit, it's been puzzling me for ages trying to work out why the lodger kept calling me mum, asking for lifts and money, emptying the fridge and still not paying rent. But turns out I'd forgotten I had a child in y11. Thanks for reminding me.

Fortunately my y11 will have her exams marked against every other child in exactly the same position. Must be really tough for those Y11/Y13 dc that will be sitting them against dc from an alternate reality where there won't be any disruption.

[pallisers]

Who has forgotten about them? Do you really think that there should be headlines on the newspapers about them when the government and society is just trying to get its head around containing this virus.

I feel for any children doing exams. My three children were sent home early from university in the US. That is the end of their year - no 2 more months of dorm life, classes, tutorial, friends, boyfriends, celebrating with the graduating class. They are gutted. As well as trying to do their classes and then their exams online. I feel very sorry for them. I haven't forgotten them. But I don't expect them to be a priority headline for anyone.

[NeckPainChairSearch]

Trainspotting

[DowntownAbby]

I can't believe what I'm reading on some of these MN Corona virus threads.

GCSE students might not get the 'long hot summer they were promised'?!

GCSE exam aged people are very likely completely safe from devastating illness caused by the virus. All around, people will be dying, losing homes, jobs, businesses, loved ones...and yet we should be feeling sorry for these kids because of their summer plans?!

Utterly mind bending.

[GinnyStrupac]

I think the only people who are guilty of forgetting about our children are our government. Teachers and other school staff certainly haven't forgotten them. Parents and carers certainly haven't forgotten them.

Rather, the government haven't actually forgotten about them, they have decided to use them as virus fodder and virus spreaders, while at the same time expecting them to knuckle down to their studies and revision, while not knowing if they or their vulnerable loved ones are going to be ok.

[Pixxie7]

Poor kids what about the homeless, the people who live in poverty?

[CoffeeHere]

YANBU. My son tonight was studying away at exams he may not even get to take. I think we forget how stressful exams are for young people.

[eggandonion]

Strangely, although I don't live in the UK, I have heard that some teenagers live in poverty, some are homeless,some are in the care system, some are battling chronic illness, some are battling mental health issues... Being a teenager isn't all a bed of roses.
All the best to families with exam students,it's always stressful.

[yossell]

Oh snap,

I wondered what that crying sound was upstairs...

[NoMoreDickheads]

I don't think anyone's particularly forgetting about anyone. It is difficult if they have to make alternative arrangements for exams (which hasn't happened yet- maybe they'll be held online or something, that's what unis are doing.)

A lot of allowances will be made- this year's grades will probably end up more generous.

Not dying or spreading a virus that kills people is more important at the end of the day.

[Janemarpling]

I think it would be better if they made a decoy regarding the GCSEs after all they have their modelling.

[Walnutwhipster]

It's shit but as of tomorrow I fully expect my year 11 DS and DD to be home from school for at least the next twelve weeks. DD has CHD and asthma and DS is severely asthmatic. My biggest fear is that they won't survive this, exams can be taken again.

[Janemarpling]

A decision!

[TwelveIslands]

The way things are going at the moment, exams could happen in the summer if the virus lessens.

[Crafting1Queen]

[SFCA]

I know I shouldn’t respond but I can’t help myself.

Both of my children have severe lung conditions (one is ventilated), if they get a cold they can end up in intensive care. If they get this virus they will probably die. My children are 2 and 3 years old.

I know this is a completely shit time for everyone but some people desperately need to get a grip!

[Kwkwjwkek]

They’ll have more time to revise if they’re at home. One of the reasons I didn’t do so well is that they didn’t give study leave until some students already had started their exams. I’m sure most with have online materials etc to help revise. As well as Skyping the teacher if possible?