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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

How to explain you need a break?

12 replies

AmazingDayz · 06/12/2023 17:50

I’m a full time lone parent to my children, my oldest gets HRC and I’m unable to work due to her needs. My son 9 is a school refuser and always has been since he started school. School is the only time I get a break from him and my other children but he gets very angry and resentful that he has to go to school, it’s a daily battle. I’m not sure how I would continue without the break I get whilst he is at school as I have no other family and their father isn’t involved. He gets angry at me that I have to send him to school but between caring for my other child, cleaning and sorting things out I am exhausted and need that time away from him. How can I explain to him that I need a break from him? Most single parents get breaks at the weekend so I’m tempted to explain that to him that most parents aren’t with their kids 24/7 how can I explain I need time away from him?

OP posts:
Elieza · 06/12/2023 17:57

I wouldn’t say that as it’s hurtful to hear the person you love most in the world doesn’t want to be with you 24/7.

I’d just tell him the truth that the law says he must go to school and that’s just the way it is so off you go. And make a fuss of him as I’m sure you do when he goes and does what he’s told.

Is he jealous of your relationship with your daughter that’s at home all day getting you all to herself?

AmazingDayz · 06/12/2023 18:02

He knows it’s the law he doesn’t care. I don’t think it’s normal to want to be with anyone 24/7 but maybe that’s just me!

OP posts:
FatFatMary · 06/12/2023 18:05

This might sound a bit strange but I actually think it shows your son has strength of character and high intelligence to be questioning why he should be forced by law to do something against his will just because he is a child

PurpleBugz · 06/12/2023 18:55

Oh I empathise. I have an autistic kiddo very high needs and they can't find a school that can meet need and when they do I'm sure he will refuse to go after a few days. Also have an older kid and a toddler.

I was at breaking point. Still kind of am but now have a disability so I worker who put pressure on the LA and now I have 2 x 2.5 hour breaks from my SEND kiddo (half hour drive there and back and it fucks up toddler nap but I get to have a shower and eat chocolate or do a toddler group).

Your son gets HRC so you qualify for a disability social worker. They probably will say you don't but put in a formal complaint and ou will get one in the end. Honestly our has done very little but what he has done has saved my sanity there is absolutely no support otherwise. You can probably get respite for your disabled child if you push for it.

Sign your school refuser up to young carers. Once a term my non disabled child goes to one of their events for a couple hours. It's not much but it's something. Also Cubs/scouts isn't that expensive and once a week you get time to do a food shop then they do lots of camps where you get a whole day or two off!! My SEND child can't manage it but if you think your school refuser could I seriously recommend.

Legally if your child is out of school for 15 days (they don't have to be consecutive) the LA must provide alternative provision. This will likely be a tutor but you can push for alternative provision. If your child is refusing school the school cannot meet need. Join the FB group EOTAS matters- it's a massive fight to get alternative education but it can be done with repeatedly making formal complaints and quoting the law. Join the group as there is a wealth of advice in there on how to get an education your son can access. Obviously the focus is on education not giving you a break but it amounts to the same thing.

Also do you have a local FB for parents of disabled kids? Look for one and ask advise in there. You will get signposted to local stuff and local places to go. Often they have meet ups that you can take your kid to and let them play while you get o have a cuppa and a chat and feel like a person no just an exhausted carer.

Also do you know about EHCPs? To be a school refuser there is likely unmet educational needs. Apply for one and th support your kid gets in school may change his attitude to attending. You will get turned down for the assessment but you speak and then they will do the assessment and say no don't need support and you appeal- this process takes over a year but over 90% of appeals win. As part of the assessment you will have educational psychologist assessment possibly speech and language and OT (I thought SaLT would say my kid was fine as his speech is great but it came back he's got really bad processing speeds and can't hold much in his head when working stuff out or hold the questions in his head long enough to formulate an answer. I had no idea. And this is a massive reason he refuses school when he does have a place). Anyway with those reports if they find needs you can try applying for DLA and then I'd use that money for a regular babysitter.

There is absolutely no support for families of disabled children unless you fight for it and formally complain loads. We are all fighting over pathetic ly funded resources. It's disgusting because we have to find the energy to sort this stuff at the times we are feeling most desperate.

AmazingDayz · 06/12/2023 19:01

I don’t want him out of school I won’t cope with 2 children at home on my own. He has always hate school since starting not since I’ve had to take my other child out he has hated it since reception and it just hasn’t got any better. He doesn’t have any special needs that is my other child.

OP posts:
PurpleBugz · 06/12/2023 19:23

AmazingDayz · 06/12/2023 19:01

I don’t want him out of school I won’t cope with 2 children at home on my own. He has always hate school since starting not since I’ve had to take my other child out he has hated it since reception and it just hasn’t got any better. He doesn’t have any special needs that is my other child.

But he is a sibling of a disabled child. So you can get support for him because of that.

Also school refusal means there are unmet needs the school/LA need to give support to address it so he's not home with you but actually in a setting.

Maybe I misunderstood I thought he's not going in at all when you said school refusal. But it looks like he does he just doesn't want to? In which case I'd say raise it with the school that he needs more support at school

winowin · 06/12/2023 20:15

@FatFatMary
High intelligence and strength of character to refuse an education at the age of 9.
Lol how far will that get them?

FatFatMary · 06/12/2023 20:24

winowin · 06/12/2023 20:15

@FatFatMary
High intelligence and strength of character to refuse an education at the age of 9.
Lol how far will that get them?

It’s maybe not education he is refusing but to be boxed into the 9-5(or 9-3) almost daily worker setup. Schools were created to condition children for work in this manner

3luckystars · 06/12/2023 20:28

Well it’s like on the aeroplane, you put on your own mask first. He has to go to school and there is absolutely no other alternative or you will go under.
No explanation necessary, he has to go and that’s the end of it. Stop getting into the dance with him.
You poor thing, I wish you all the best. You really are at capacity.

winowin · 06/12/2023 20:36

@FatFatMary
Unfortunately that is life. Im boxed up up in n a 9 to 5.
I don't like it but I need to pay bills.

Merrichristmas · 06/12/2023 20:37

Really helpful posts @PurpleBugz 👍🏻

FatFatMary · 06/12/2023 20:58

winowin · 06/12/2023 20:36

@FatFatMary
Unfortunately that is life. Im boxed up up in n a 9 to 5.
I don't like it but I need to pay bills.

Yeah I know. It’s not helpful to OP either. I think I’m just overtired and projecting trying to find some kind of upside to my own kid not going to school

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