Class of '18 nervously waiting.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

They've left college, now we are trying not to think about a certain date.

DD is away at Camp America, she already has her results btec 3 x Distinction*s (very proud mum as she self studied for a lot of it as she had to miss the last half term for CA)
Quite stressful as she has changed her mind about funding for her course and it is not straightforward sorting it out, and as she is away im having to do the ringing round etc
She only has 2 weeks when she gets home then is off to Cardiff and we have her 21st birthday in between.

Thank you!

Last year wasn't so nerve wracking. DD1 was a very conscientious and hardworking student - needed AAA and got it. DS1 floated through GCSEs with A/As - although I must say he did have an awful time in the run up to them. He was bullied quite badly online and in RL, with one boy slamming up up against a wall when he was actually on his way. The school did nothing about it as one of the ring leaders was a senior teacher's son.

DS1 moved schools for sixth form to a really excellent school close by but struggled to break into friendship groups that had been formed since Y7. Cue many tearful requests to go back to his former school....He kept going and has now made some really good friends but at the expense of his attitude to learning and attendance.

He applied for a really competitive course and was really pleased to get an offer after a day at an assessment centre run by the course sponsor. I thought that might have kick-started his exam run in but no. He has had MH issues in the past so I had to tread a very fine line between wanting to shake him for not realising what a fantastic opportunity he had and needing to keep him safe

Lily125 Yes, it is accountancy

Welcome Hobbit, good to have you here.

Thank you DrPeppers

It's a bit of a stressful time at the moment - hence the reason I have stopped lurking and come out of the shadows. DC are heading to see their DGF to say goodbye at the moment. He's probably only got a few days left at most (lung cancer).

My company are also being taken over at the moment so I have no idea whether I will still have a job in a month's time as mine is a role which is likely to be centralised.

Hi again! Bruffin my DD also going to Cardiff. She’s effectively had a gap year so knows she’s in. DH, DS and I are off on holiday later today then when we get back we’ve one day together and she’s off there to go into halls for rest of summer to flat hunt with her partner (he has to job hunt). She’s lived away from home abroad before and has been telling me since she was 13 how much she hates this area, so I was a bit surprised earlier when she said rather sadly that we’ve only got one more day living together, I do feel a bit more emotional than I thought I was going to.

She just needs pots and pans for the summer so have left her a bit of money to get some whilst we’re away. I’m going to get her an Instant Pot or similar as she uses it all the time and does eat well so want to encourage her to keep that up. Would like to get hold of some blue IKEA bags as think they’ll be handy. After the last few years we’ve had with her It is a bit surreal that she’s going and I’m worried whether she’s going to like and stick the course. Need to look at insurance situation soon, will get her to do that whilst we’re away as 5th coming round rapidly .

Camp America, eh? Reminds me of DS1's friend who was all set for uni in Pontypridd to do sonething like criminology, but met a lovely Mexican girl at Camp America. He now lives in Mexico with his 1 year old DS and his girlfriend. She was pregnant within 2 weeks of them meeting! He was 18, she was 19.

Anyway, just remind those DC of yours about condoms. Babies are wonderful but we're all too young to be grandparents.

I'm sorry Hobbit, all that on top of everything else must be really tough.

It is DrPeppers but many on here have it much worse. Just trying to stay calm, not worry and support the DC as much as I can.

My dc is also doing accountancy, but as a higher apprentice, so not going to uni, but still moving away.

Anyone else on here dc doing apprentices?

I feel a little mean, as by the time dc has brought his food, expenses, rent (although we’ll help him initially), he won’t have much money left over.

Hobbit, what a difficult time for you all, so sorry Important to take a bit of time to look after yourself at times like this.

Sorry Hobbit, missed your post when I wrote mine. I hope your DC's grandfather has an easy passing. Glad that your DC have had a chance to say goodbye.

Ah that's tough Hobbit, I'm sorry.

Welcome Hobbit. I have a DD who was badly bullied and has been through very serious MH problems. So I do understand some of your pain!

I feel lucky that she chose to do BTECs at college as we know her results already. I'm also lucky because she's not going to uni and has recently got a job offer for something she really, really wants to do. She had some horrible experiences recently with some vile teenagers (telling her to kill herself ), but she has a lovely boyfriend, great qualifications and a great new job to look forward to.

Thank you everyone. The DC are grateful that they are having the chance to say goodbye. I'm keeping a close eye on DS1 - he does show how upset he is though. DS2 internalises everything so perhaps he is the one I need to look out for more. August really isn't my favourite month

Hobbit you have a lot on your plate, try to take some time to take care of yourself. I was raised as a worrier but as I get older I'm gradually realising that I can spend hours rehearsing every possible scenario but it won't change the outcome at all. Our children's results will not change now no matter how much we worry about them and if one route becomes closed to them then there will be something else.

That's truly horrible chocolate but she sounds to be heading down the right path.

I took screen shots of all the messages and sent them to the school. I went in so many times. Nothing was done. A group of the 'popular' kids decided he was 'posh' and proceeded to make his life a misery. He went from being happy and confident to crying daily about attending school (at 16). Karma is good though. The day he got his course offer, he found out that one of the ring leaders was in trouble with the police for small time dealing

Hi Hobbit!

DD is on her way to China ! It has been so long in the planning I can't quite believe that it is actually happening. DD2 and I are off to Gran Canaria tomorrow. Just finished packing and trying to relax.

Dog decided to have a burst anal gland cyst this weekend so had to go to the emergency vet today £109! Could have done without that. Why is it always the weekend? (Glares at dog)

Mmmm anal glands.

The joy of animals!

Hi Hobbit, and welcome! It really sounds as though you have a lot on your plate. Hope you find this thread as supportive as I have.

I'm finally in bed after spending most of the afternoon writing and recording a talk for next Sunday's service, then packing to go away on holiday tomorrow. We have 5 days away as a family, then drop kids off to a festival they are attending with their youth group, and having 5 nights away on our own. So much packing - kids have to pack stuff for camping as well as family hold, and drop tents off with friends to take down and pitch...hopefully it will be worth it!

Welcome Hobbit!
My son is also going to study accountancy. He has his results and is off to Warwick.
Marmite - hope your dd has a fab time here in the Middle Kingdom. Where is she going in China?

Shanghai, she is in Beijing now and then goes on an overnight train to Shanghai at the end of the week. She is singing with the National Children's Choir of Great Britain in two concerts with some sight seeing thrown in. They have arrived safely. Great experience!

Exciting adeventures!

adventures.