Effect of lockdown on Scottish teenagers

[Allnamesaregone]

How are your teens coping?
The prolonged lockdown is not good for them. For older teenagers their friends are the most important thing. Not being able to socialise properly, or to have the routine of school, facing the fact that exam grades aren’t going to be what you expected because you were leaving it to the last minute - it’s really tough for them. And lockdown is going on so long....

We hear. Not here. Jeezo, you can tell i've not had my coffee yet.

That’s a lovely site @SockYarn

One of mine has just finished s5 and is seriously regretting coasting in class. More than capable of really good grades - he did this with Nat5s - pulled out all the stops at the end. Trouble is the teachers have to give evidence for predicted grades...
We’ve had the chat about how everyone is affected and that sometimes the route to get where you want isn’t a straight line, but for someone who still doesn’t fully know what he wants to do when leaving school, it’s tough. I’m wondering if it’s even worth staying on for 6th year now, if it’s only part time, maybe it’s better to have a year of working instead. I’m beginning to think that picking up life skills in the world of work would be better.

Oh that’s a great link, thank you!

Not in Scotland but my teen is struggling

....and I see worse inconsiderate behaviour from adults in the supermarkets than I do from teens.

Allnamesaregone boys are going to be more effected than girls by this grade prediction method as they are more likely to pull it out of the hat at the end. I know there is no perfect answer and what else can they do, but it seems manifestly unfair.

My 15yr old DD is struggling a bit. We live rurally so are miles away from anyone and ore lockdown they relied on me driving them places. My 18yr old DS is with his girlfriend and her family and I have seen him a few times.

My younger two, 12 and 8 are taking it bad too. Virtual scouts/cubs is not the same as seeing their friends. Virtual school disco and not to mention the leavers assembly my 12 yr old was looking forward too.

I feel for them, it's tough and I want their lives to have some semblance of normality soon

I have DS who's at end of 3rd year, just started S4, thankfully school being v supportive and getting them sorted with S4 subject choices, teachers etc. Our school burnt down beginning of S3 so whole of S3 been bit of a shitshow but we got him kitted out with new laptop, plenty space to study, extra books and so on then, plus all the support (nagging!) from us on self-motivation then has turned out to be good groundworkfor the current situation. He's found his groove of, schoolwork all morning, some exercise and then x-box, WhatsApp and so on to be in touch with pals. Went out with his best friend since nursery last Fri to kick a football back and forth, I near cried when I saw them, it was a little bit more "normal".
DD is 18 not coping nearly as well - had to come home early from first year at uni, not coping so well, really spiky, missing her independence, not been able to get a wee job. I'm starting to see little chinks of her old self, like sun shining through a cloud. We'll get there.
Also have younger DD at end of P7, bit worried about transition to high school, but because of the fire, most of the current S1 & S2 haven't seen the school in its present form (building work on portacabins has resumed and all should be ready for August) so she's re-assured that there are a lot of them in the same boat. She's doing the bare minimum of the work being set by school, doing lots of art, baking, keeping in touch with friends as much as possible so I'm not forcing her, pick your battles and all that. She's her usual happy, cheeky wee self.
That's probably the most outing post I've written, I should probably name change.

Mine are starting to struggle. My 15 year old missed his GCSEs.

In Scotland?

Anyway..

Mine have coped fine. Eldest is 19 and has been working throughout, full time hours and doing the family shopping too. 17 year old is autistic and enjoying every single minute, as am I and our youngest (also autistic) - the pressure is off for us so it has made things a lot less stressful. 17 year old may not go back to school though, should be doing advanced Highers but because everything is up in the air he is considering not returning.

@SudokuBook

I think it’s not on that a whole generation of kids are being thrown under the bus for a disease that largely kills over 75 year olds. Not that that don’t matter, but they’re at more risk of dying of any cause, just due to their age.

indeed.

The reason I put Scotland in the title was because our lockdown seems to be going on far far longer with a much more gradual easing of restrictions, but there’s no doubt teenagers all across the uk have been affected too.

I see worse inconsiderate behaviour from adults in the supermarkets than I do from teens

This.

And yes the restrictions being eased a bit in England makes a massive difference; at least my son can now meet a friend and do his athletics in a small group (and I can go out running with a small group of friends too). But that only started last Monday so hopefully Scotland is not too far behind.