For disagreeing with Ex on teen’s education?

[NosyJosie]

AIBU? My teen has been struggling with academics and behaviour for some years but has had a surge of effort and now looks like will get much better GCSEs than expected and expressed a wish to continue to onward a level education even though no clue what they want to do and has low self esteem after struggling.

My ex and his entire side of the family are saying it’s a waste of time and get a job, I.e apprenticeship route.

Am I delulu for believing in my child and wanting them to at least try?

If you set low expectations for your child, then they will have low results.

give them support to challenge themselves.

It should be up to your DC. There's nothing stopping him going down the apprenticeship route after A Levels but if he wants to do A levels then it's nobody else's business

He can always go down the apprenticeship route after A levels.

I'm with you, there's such things as degree apprenticeships as well.
And well done to your DC.

Parents should be supporting their children in the path the young person chooses. It's their life, and post 16, linear education is gone.
What I would say is they only have three more years free education post 16. There are one year level three qualifications they could do and to look at options after that.
Try and avoid the new T levels if you possibly can.
Finally, what ever they choose, support them to finish the first year of the course. Resilience and tenacity are areas where many young people struggle. Too often they think they aren't doing well or finding it hard and take the easy option and quit.

It's their education/post 16, and if they do go for apprenticeships, get a level three one if they pass maths/ English.

Not sure what the AIBU is. They have an opinion and you have an opinion. You don’t have to agree and you don’t have to fight about it. Which would cause more stress and anxiety for your daughter who just needs support in her exams.

wait for the results then present the options and talk through them with her objectively. Whether they do or don’t is up to them.