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.

[GinnyStrupac]

I agree with pp - we need a decision.

[Eckhart]

The children are not forgotten. They are just as involved in the crisis as the rest of us. Their lives will be similarly disrupted as the adults. Work schedules and holiday plans disrupted.

[LEELULUMPKIN]

how the hell did we survive two world wars?

[GinnyStrupac]

I think they should be on study leave immediately, with learning packs, online work and telephone or online tutorials, and exams delayed until September. We need to protect the vulnerable and give our children some clarity. It's not rocket science to do both.

[mummyof2munchkins]

Certainly not forgetting my child, his lungs don't work properly. He is seriously at risk from the effects of a cold so all the very scary stuff about CV and the vulnerable scares the life out of me. I wish with all my heart I was only worried about his exams. I totally understand that kids have worked so hard for GCSE exams. I hope things settle before exam season, 3 months from now.

[JemimaPuddleCat]

What about those sitting National 5s, or Highers?
What about those with SNs who are supposed to be under enhanced transition to secondary school?
What about those who have been looking forward to a school residential for 7 years?

Oh, it's about your kids? Got it.

[Lynda07]

I don't know anyone who is forgetting their children, on the contrary most people are very concerned about them.

Schools are not yet on lockdown here but that is likely to happen.

It's possible they won't do their exams as planned but will be able to do them at a later date. It's very unfortunate when lives and plans are so disrupted but every so often, it happens, nobody's fault. In a couple of years this will be history and the children will be progressing, albeit a bit later than originally hoped but not by much. For some that might even be a blessing! They'll certainly remember the epidemic and will tell their children and grandchildren all about it in years to come.

The important thing at this time is to limit the spread of infection and keep everyone as safe as possible. Other issues pale in comparison.

[CandyLeBonBon]

OP. Take a breath.

Your DC will not lose out on a lifetime of opportunity for a year of difficulty.

That might have happened years ago when young people were considered subordinate but these days young adults are very much centred and it's important that you remember that.

Every effort will be made to ensure exam level students have the chance to produce the work they've been leading up to but equally, they are (or should be, I hope) aware that exams don't define them in the way they did when their parents were the same age.

Summer breaks and holidays will just have to be buggered. They'll cope, and society these days is a LOT more accommodating of the need to be understanding of the anxieties involved in burgeoning adulthood.

Take a breath. Ride the storm. Accommodations will be made and fairness will prevail I'm sure.

[Lifeisabeach09]

This are people's futures we are talking about.

They will survive and have a future, a lot of people won't.

As for mental health, the stress and anxiety from exams (or lack of!) is trivial compared to the stress and anxiety experienced by people losing loved ones, jobs, homes, and not having enough food to eat.
As long as your children have their basic needs (food, water, warmth, a roof etc) met along with good health, they will rebound. They will get to sit their exams, just a little later.

[Wheresthebiffer2]

My daughter is coughing in her bedroom, in isolation, off school now for 7days. There is no way I can forget her.

[Widowodiw]

I just can’t get that bothered about the children doing exams tbh. They can done them when this whole mess is over can’t they? They may loose some months but people are going to lives and jobs and to me that’s more important to sort out in the short term.

[CandyLeBonBon]

Oh bugger @Wheresthebiffer2 it's 14 days now in the uk

[CandyLeBonBon]

@LEELULUMPKIN well quite a lot of people didn't actually!

[sarahC40]

Op the kids will be ok. It’ll be hard for them, but it’ll be ok. Teachers like me are spending loads of time reassuring and talking to them; the exam boards are not stupid and communicate well with schools; the sixth forms and other post 16 providers have good relationships with feeder schools. Unis will be v keen to have the next year’s worth of fee paying students - they’ll be getting in, I’m sure.

They may miss out on prom and a fun summer, and as someone who works with teenagers and thinks that they are largely fab, I’m sorry for them. I will be getting up in six hours to go and be calm, so I’m off to bed now, but don’t worry. It’ll be ok for the,m.

[catspyjamas123]

I doubt there will be exams this summer. In fact I will be angry if there are with all this going on. They can be given predicted grades (ideally) or take them later. I think the schools should close. The kids can enjoy some family time and maybe step up and help elderly people locally.

[tinybluerose]

Are teens facing GCSE or A level a significant group at risk of death?

Long-term does anything else matter?

(said as someone who nearly died age 18- it really doesnt matter}

[5zeds]

Those that don’t cope can retake.

[Bouledeneige]

I'm not forgetting my children. My number one worry at the moment is my lonely 90 yr old Dad who we can no longer visit. His life was very dull before so it will be very tough. He doesn't do skype or facetime and is awkward on the phone.

Then its my DD at uni. Its still open but I'm worried when to collect her - I don't want to leave it too long with possible draconian travel restrictions and I don't want to risk her being stuck there. I'm in London where the virus is advanced - she's in Manchester. Once she's home she will likely be stuck at home for a long time. And my DS is doing A levels and school is still open. What will happen to his exams - we have no idea. To be honest, they are both chilled and I'm more worried than they are (but keeping it low key). Holidays, work, travel - none of us can plan for it and there is nothing we can do about it. We all need to survive it if we can with humour and grace. Others wont be so lucky and wont have a holiday again.

[ChickLitLover]

OP I think you’ve worded your post in a way which people have jumped on.

I do know what you mean. I have a child in year 11. From entering year 7 all these kids have heard is the importance of GCSEs. They’re talked about constantly as what they’re aiming for, in class, in assemblies, at home, in workshops, in careers meetings. Now these exams which have taken up so much of their life and have been a main focus for many might not happen at the time they’ve planned. Some kids are very stressed out because of how important they’ve been told they are. It really is affecting many of them and causing lots of stress. No one is telling them that it will be sorted. Some of these kids think their life is ruined, they won’t go to college and uni etc. No it’s not that important when the country is facing such huge problems but to teens who are not used to dealing with lots of issues, it is a massive. There’s lots of things on social media about this being the end of the world coming. Teenagers have less life experience than us. Adults are finding this overwhelming, I’m not surprised that kids are, especially when their main aim, their exams are looking uncertain. I really think some decisions need to be made or some reassurance given to kids that it will be ok one way or the other. I’ve told my son not to worry, it will be fine, whether things get delayed by a month or a year, it’s just a delay but some kids are not getting that or not believing it.

I also have a child in year 6. They’ve had nothing but SATs rammed down their throats since year 5. She’s delighted they might not happen. I’m not too disappointed myself.

[ChickLitLover]

Teachers like me are spending loads of time reassuring and talking to them; the exam boards are not stupid and communicate well with schools; the sixth forms and other post 16 providers have good relationships with feeder schools. Unis will be v keen to have the next year’s worth of fee paying students - they’ll be getting in, I’m sure.

ThAts good to hear, sorry I didn’t mean to make it sound like teachers were not trying to reassure kids. The teachers at my sons school are doing their best but the kids are looking for some certainty and the teachers can’t give them that. I imagine it’s very difficult for teachers as well.

[YourWinter]

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.

How absolutely horrid for them. Poor mites.

[pippitysqueakity]

Please explain how we are forgetting about the children.
What would remembering about them look like?

[ChickLitLover]

How absolutely horrid for them. Poor mites.

I really do this lots of people are picking ion OPs post and making it sound terrible. A lot of kids have worked hard for their exams and they’re looking forward to a nice break afterwards. Nothing wrong with that, we all look forward to a break after a period of stress. My son was looking forward to a break and hopefully getting a job, his plans may have to change. Yes, he’ll be fine, there’s worse things, people are going to die etc but it’s a shame lots of kids plans will now have to change. And some kids are struggling with this whole thing and it may affect their mental health and we should be mindful of this. That’s all.

[ilovepuppies2019]

YANBU to worry about exam arrangements. It's a very stessful time for young people with so much confusion. It's easy to forget that our system has taught them that exams are their whole world and have been for years by their last year of high school. YABU to worry about their 'long hot Summer.' A holiday isn't neccesary and many people finished school and began working immediately anyway. I would be concerned about any young person who's only focused on their holiday plans right now. I would hope that outside school / exams, most young people are worried about elderly relatives, parent jobs, parent mortgages and the general well being of their families.