Thread 36 - Covid Cohort from GCSE 2020 - The Final Countdown to Results Day for Some?

[CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee]

This is a thread for supporting all young people post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting. It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, please don't within this thread. Please also be sensitive when responding to threads about grades. It's all relative!
Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue.
Our DS/DD may continue down various pathways ( employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided for anyone interested they will find a thread within the Further Ed board.
Possibly a move to Parent of Adult Children Board in future? Post Results?

Previous Thread

Failure not family!

@Benjispruce4 super hard if DM not around when things are good - have a lot of friends in your boat and it can be super hard when things are super amazing not to be able to share.

@Fruitygal it really is. Are you in the same boat? Apart from DH, she is the only other person that would totally get it and be so , so proud. Oh dear, made myself cry 😢.

Oh @Benjispruce4

DM won't be with us this year but Dd has her charm bracelet. I got her a cheap sterling silver charm to go on it for results day (it is actually really pretty). I think we'll feel the loss this year.😥

Seeline, you have summed it up well.

I hope people feel that they can post whatever they are comfortable with on here come Thursday, with no judgment. I think in RL/Facebook we know the competitive challenges that are there, the unspoken lines of proudness vs bragging, but the reality is most of us mask all the good stuff our kids do to not offend others, especially family members. It’s such bullshit at times, and incredibly lonely.

I genuinely want to cheer, or console in whatever way I can. Totally invested in their outcomes.

I can’t wait to find out how all the dc on here have done. Obviously people may choose to say that they got what they needed, or not, or not to post. But no one here is going to think it’s boasting if someone does well or disloyal to their dc if they dont do well. I don’t do any Social media apart from this. Have FB to hear about cousins etc, but never post. I wouldnt put grades on a forum like that.
Shes just back from her holidays, very happy, but still set on a Ewan Mcgregor haircut. Not from Trainspotting at least.

Benji, I read on another thread of your DD1. Bloody brilliant result.

I only feel a failure more with the mourning of my past life that paid well, but now there’s a huge financial weight on DH’s shoulders.

I’m 7 years on and these days it’s on these occasions I really feel the loss. Thank you.
Thats a lovely idea @CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee . DD wears one of DM’s rings and it happens to be her birthstone ( remember her penchant for crystals and astrology) so it’s very important to her.

Thanks @ealingwestmum very proud of them both. 🤗

I'm in the same boat as both my parents and DH parents have passed away - in fact only my Mum was alive when DD was born and she passed away when DD had just turned 2. They would have been so proud off DD, we all have missed out so much. In the past I have posted things on FB and sort of said sorry not sorry for the brag but I don't have parents to tell. It's different now DD is older as she is very private. I suspect she will be disappointed whatever she gets tbh. Just how she is. I am sure I will post something but not mention the actual grades, well who knows maybe I will :-) DD is much younger than my friends and families children so I don't have to worry so much about it being awkward.

DD was in a right mood yesterday but she had been to Board masters and was knackered. She is ok today. Not happy when she found out no resist until May/June as is worried no plan C if she gets lower than a B for Biology, wasn't happy with any in clearing that took a C but then goes on to say she thinks it will be fine. She wants to go out for lunch together in fact wants all her friends and parents too, but some (including DD) may be in clearing so lunch is the last thing to think about. I think it's best to wait and see and decide on the spot. We could go for an brunch after getting results if all ok.

Any of you have plans?

@Benjispruce4 I have 7 friends who are without a parent or parents - 3 friends lost parents in childhood. One of my parents was extremely ill for a long long time and is still with us but physical fragile. 1 of my best friends died and I miss her a lot - today I went for my first Mammogram or Boob squeeze as she used to call them.

@Seeline @Zebracat @ealingwestmum agree with what youve said - I am happy to post on here as it is a different environment and the kids can't see this. Have fingers crossed for everyone!

BTW I often feel a failure, it goes with the territory when DC are mixing with much wealthier students at university. We do our best and unconditional love is free! One day I hope they will understand.

I won't be posting grades on social media as DD prefers not to share specifics, and usually avoids SM herself. Hopefully we'll just be able to confirm that she is heading to university. I hope all our DC achieve the grades they need.

@CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee that is a lovely idea re charm. I was just thinking I should have sorted something for results day. I am off to look in my Mums jewellery box to see if anything suitable. DD has already wears some of my Mums (and my old) rings.

@Benjispruce4 NEVER feel like a failure - parenting is a skill and everyone has talents - money is useful but trust me I have watched in the previous crashes people lose their lifestyles and money overnight. I have known people with the perfect lives and best jobs confide in me they are secretly having horrid lives. I know people with PhDs who can't answer an easy pub quiz question or struggle to support their children emotionally.

I've no idea what we'll do on results day. DD "doesn't want to think about it" and hasn't made any plans with friends etc. I guess we'll just play it by ear.

Ah @Fruitygal hope all is well with the dreaded boob squeeze, I’ve had one so far.
Im very grateful DM got know my DDs until they were 14 and 11. So sorry to those that didn’t get that chance. Gosh I think all the anxiety is bringing out lots of random emotions.
DD has requested brunch @Heifer as she remembers DD1’s lunch. Happy to oblige if all goes to plan . 🤞🏻

Thanks @Fruitygal . Wise words.

May I sneak in the side door to this thread, DS is expecting A-level results on Thursday this week? Honestly his results could be anything, from CDD to 3xA-star. I'm not thinking beyond keeping my diary clear on Thursday so I'm prepared for anything. He has a Uni offer so... we shall see what happens.

I very much agree with @Fruitygal

To add to that, I have two very different DC with very different skill sets. They are also very private and hate me to post on fb about them.

ps: social media announcements about grades. I 99% don't care what other people do. My eldest was a resolute under-achiever, my 2nd one a hyper-(unhealthy) over-achiever. My only possible announcement would be if/when DS was happy / settled about what he'll be doing next.

DH has a relative who announced her DC's amazing grades a few times... then one of her DC got merely good results (also announced with seemingly same enthusiasm). I always felt bad for the less-than-amazing results DC. Who wants the whole world to easily compare them to siblings like that?

I don't know what we will do on results day either. I don't even know how he will choose to play it - wait at home for tracker to update, or go to school when it opens at 8am. I think he will do the latter but to me it seems brutal. I darent plan lunch or dinner and I haven't bought anything for uni. I definitely won't put grades on Facebook,.but I might comment either way depending on what happens. Can't believe it is nearly upon us. My son's email is logged on the main PC and I know it's naughty but every day I have had a little peep to see if there has been anything from his chosen unis. So far there hasn't been a sniff!

@Zebracat I am so sorry for the difficulties you have encountered , that is shocking .

I have one DC who generally does pretty well and one who has struggled their way through and know what both sides are like. Thursday is going to be hard whatever he gets in a way as a part of my brain still can’t quite believe Dad won’t be here to ring. I think that’s why I would like him to go to first choice as Dad would know where he will be which sounds very silly and I am keeping that to myself. I really don’t want to add any more pressure to what he must already be feeling.

Oh @Zebracat your girl has been through so much, she is very lucky to have you in her corner as I’m sure all your kids have been💐

I don’t have access to DS’s email but I can log into his ucas if needed on the day. He doesn’t think there is an option to go into college which surprised me, i thought they would at least be there for support/advice.

Oh Volterra I completely get that