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Not taking a child on holiday

107 replies

Trixz8913 · 10/07/2024 09:13

Hiya, I just wanted to find out other people's views and experiences. I've got a 13 year old son, who's behaviour over the last 3 years has spiralled out of control. He's constantly being rude to teachers in school, putting himself and other students in danger, searing, refusing to do work, having to be removed from lessons, has been suspended due to behaviour 10 times this past academic year.
He's also frequently exhibiting anti social behavior when he's out and about with friends. Swearing at members of the public, vandalising property, threw around a homeless person's belongings, sneaking out early hours from his father's house (we're separated) and going to the local park starting fires, vaping.
He's bought the police to my home because he was reported for continuous anti social behaviour.
And when he is at home he's quite spiteful and vindictive to his younger sisters, threatening to punch her on occasion.
I have tried every method I know of to try and get his behaviour in check, done the usual taken his phone from him, not being allowed on the console, been grounded and not been allowed out. I've also tried positive enforcement, have given him pocket money when he has behaved well, given cuddles and told him I was proud of him when he went a day without getting trouble with school, have extended his time out with friends when he's been behaving, even have a sweet shop at home where all the kids earn stars for good behavior which they use as currency when they want to buy sweets from the "shop".
The school has tried one on one coaching with him, and he's been put into a cooking class that he enjoys to help break up his time table.

My question is this, the third to last time he was suspended he was told by one of the deputy heads that he was on his last warning from the school is his behaviour didn't improve and he kept getting suspended he would be expelled from the school.
We had a holiday coming up for the summer holidays and after weeks of his behaviour spiralling I had said to him, that if he got suspended again, or had as bad a day as the last (at the time) he wouldn't be going on the holiday, and since that time he's been reported on by the police, still swearing in school,l has been not turning up for lessons, has bunked off school, has snuck out and started a gire down the park where the police and fire had to be called, has stolen things from the home and has been suspended twice since.
So I had said he's not coming on holiday due to his behaviour. Do you think this was too harsh a punishment? Everyone close to me I have asked have said no it isn't, and that they themselves have done the same thing, but I keep getting grief and horrible messages from his father who's saying that I'm being cruel by not taking him, and that I'm saying I don't love him by not taking him.
So just wanted to get the opinion of other parents non bias parents on what they would do, or have done.

Thanks

OP posts:
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2chocolateoranges · 10/07/2024 09:19

Every action has a consequence, your son needs to learn this.

His Disruptive behaviour is affecting the whole family, you threatened him with no holiday if his behaviour continued, you now have to carry through with the threat. Eg no holiday.

fiskal · 10/07/2024 09:37

I think you are doing all the right things. You sound brilliant. However I think this behaviour is outwith the norm and beyond usual parenting tips and tricks. I think you should seek specialist mental health support for your son.

DancefloorAcrobatics · 10/07/2024 09:42

My only question is, who will look after him while you are away?
Because with that kind of behaviour it will be difficult for anyone.

On a side note, is he under a pediatrician or are you in touch with SS, as this kind of behaviour isn't the norm for a 13 y old.

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mikado1 · 10/07/2024 09:48

I'd be so concerned for a 13yo behaving like this. He is clearly very troubled. Like a pp, I'd be seeking specialist help. Cuddles shouldn't ever be conditional by the way. He's clearly not functioning well and needs help, support and firm limits, not freedom but punishments.

AnneLovesGilbert · 10/07/2024 09:48

Is he staying with his dad when you go? You sound like you’re doing a great job in awful circumstances and need more outside help but I wonder if he can live with his dad as well? Your younger kids deserve a proper break from him on your holiday but is it an option to have a chance of residency so they’re not living with his threats of violence. If his dad thinks you’re so mean why doesn’t he step the fuck up and have a go himself.

Trixz8913 · 10/07/2024 09:50

We are currently on the neaurological pathways for getting him screened for any psychological problems, like ADD and ADHD. And in the process of getting him a EHCP which I've all done myself. Unfortunately it's a very long winded process, the waiting list is like 18 months
But I have been battling with the school since last year to get him extra support, and been in contact with Sendias, and I made the school put him on the SEN register.

In regards to where he will be staying. Due to him not wanting to grounded after the last bout of bad beahvioru he decided to go live with his dad. And that's where he is now.
Unfortunately his dad hasn't ever been involved with his schooling, and task a quite laid back approach to his behaviour, in as much as there are never really any consequences to it. Even if he's had a bad day at school where he's been verbally abusive and refusing to do his work, his dad will still let him go out.
And with the friend he's always bunking off school with and been involved in the anti social behaviour and the other friend hes bene sneaking out with and starting fires with, his dad still continues to let him sleep over their houses and such.

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mikado1 · 10/07/2024 09:54

So difficult OP, without his Dad's support, which is disgraceful. Family counselling perhaps, with someone experienced and recommended. He needs firm limits. Is this something that has come on in recent times?

PS I feels besides the point but I do understand why you're not taking him on holiday but I also really feel for him. His dad is really leaving him down here.

cestlavielife · 10/07/2024 09:54

He clearly needs intervention and help. He is 13 there is time.
Maybe a good p r u

A holiday of active walking up hills no phones and allowing him to talk (and parentvyo listen) away from friends and influences could be beneficial

But taking him away with other siblings could distress you all

CowTown · 10/07/2024 09:55

You drew a line in the sand with a clear consequence: No Holiday. He bulldozed across the line.

What lesson does he learn if you stick to what you said?

What lesson does he learn if you go back on your word?

Which option will help him to understand that your words, as his parent, mean something?

cestlavielife · 10/07/2024 09:56

Does he wants to go on holiday anyway seems like he has gotten into preferring to go out do antisocial stuff anyway
Is not going actually going to have any beneficial consequences on his behaviour?

mikado1 · 10/07/2024 10:03

cestlavielife · 10/07/2024 09:56

Does he wants to go on holiday anyway seems like he has gotten into preferring to go out do antisocial stuff anyway
Is not going actually going to have any beneficial consequences on his behaviour?

Edited

Agree but it's probably fairer on the other siblings .

AnneLovesGilbert · 10/07/2024 10:07

It’s good he’s living with his dad now. There’s nothing you can do to make his dad engage. Is he also the dad of your younger ones? Stick to saying no to the holiday. You and your girls deserve a happy stress free break.

cestlavielife · 10/07/2024 10:13

Agree take siblings on holiday without him.
But that is unlikely to be seen as a punishment ?will he just say he does not care and just continue destruction path?
Take the break and try to get him into a good p r u for September?

StopGo · 10/07/2024 10:18

Who will be responsible for him if you go away? I'd worry about your home.

Trixz8913 · 10/07/2024 10:30

I did have a family support officer working with us for a few months, but she closed the case because she said everything they would be advising me to do I was already doing so there wasn't anything else she could do

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DullFanFiction · 10/07/2024 10:34

I would go away Wo him but fir another reason than ‘punishing’ him.
And that’s simply because your other children deserve a break. A holiday wo further aggro.
It must be extremely hard fir them too agd they deserve some TLC too iyswim.

Re your ds
its obvious you are trying your best. But Wo the support of his dad and the fact your ds can just disappear there, it’s going to be extremely hard work 😢😢

No advice there unfortunately. Bit people on the SN board might have helpful advice.

mikado1 · 10/07/2024 10:38

How was he before age 10 OP? Did anything particularly happen around that stage?

Trixz8913 · 10/07/2024 10:46

He'd be staying with his dad. As that is where he lives now

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Trixz8913 · 10/07/2024 10:48

No nothing significant happened around that age. The most traumatic event that did happen was when he was 2 and his dad told me in front of the boys that he was leaving. Left me in hysterics and had to try and explain it to them

OP posts:
mikado1 · 10/07/2024 10:49

And all was OK up to age 10?

spritneybrown33 · 10/07/2024 10:51

It sounds like you’re dealing with a very challenging situation with your son. From your description, it seems like you've tried a range of disciplinary and positive reinforcement strategies to address his behavior, which is commendable. Given the severity of his duck life actions, including police involvement and safety concerns, it’s understandable why you decided not to take him on the holiday.

itsmylife7 · 10/07/2024 10:52

Trixz8913 · 10/07/2024 10:46

He'd be staying with his dad. As that is where he lives now

You're doing the right thing OP.

As hard as it is you should stick to your guns on this.

veryCrossMrFlibble · 10/07/2024 10:54

In my experience living with an ND teen, consequences for bad behaviour don't seem to make a blind bit of difference. It's incredibly frustrating and hard to deal with. It's good that you are on the pathway, because it sounds like you really need support and his other parent is fairly useless. Is he likely to ruin your holiday if you take him? If so, stick to your guns as you probably need a break but don't expect it to change his behaviour. You have my sympathy, it's really hard to know what to do for the best when nothing seems to work.

Dolly567 · 10/07/2024 11:04

I disagree, his behaviour is a cry for help. Neglecting him from this holiday will only make it worse, why not use it as a time to bond. This is heartbreaking but please don't give up on him and I mean that in the nicest way possible, he has time to change

CedarFence · 10/07/2024 12:20

I don’t think it’s a question of harshness, I think it’s a question of what’s the point?

He isn’t responding to structured carrot and stick / reward and sanction discipline so the holiday ban is unlikely to improve his behaviour.

Where would he be while you are away?

His behaviour is not run of the mill bad behaviour. I would now be looking at some way to get to the bottom of why he behaves like this. Whether it’s emotional or some kind of ND condition, some problem or issue that he hasn’t disclosed.

Puberty in boys does sometimes seem to unleash things, I have seen friends teens with ASD / ADHD who were managing OK or undiagnosed until puberty and then went off like fireworks. So hard for them and for their families. Ditto ones who were grappling with things they were unable to control or disclose.

Keep as close as possible to him, however hard that is. Your commitment to him shines through.