how can i as a non-academic support my son who has turned out to be very academic?

[Booyhoo]

i hated school and struggled the whole way through. i spent lessons in a state of confusion and needing things explained and repeated over and over again.

my ds is 7 and although it is still young his teacher has told me that he is very bright and quite ahead in his reading and understanding compared to his peers.

i am embarrassed to admit that i have struggled with some of his homeworks where he has had no problem and whizzes through it.

right now there is no problem, i can manage and help him but i am very aware that before long i will be useless to him (and his dbro when he gets up a bit) i dont want my ds to fail because i am crap. i want him to reach whatever his potential is but i dont know how i can do this. school work just didn't/doesn't come easy to me.

any advice?

It sounds as if he will manage homework fine without your help. Just be supportive and make sure that he has a quiet place to do it, access to the Internet, a library ticket, talk to him about it, show an interest etc. Ask the school for some good websites.
Have you thought of doing any college courses yourself? You may be surprised to find that it comes more easily to you as an adult.

"right now there is no problem, i can manage and help him "

I think it's probably better for you not to get into the habit of trying to help him. Let him figure things out himself and make mistakes if need be. In the long run it will be much better for him anyway, it will teach him independence and to learn from his mistakes.

Be there for him emotionally, play with him, take him to the park, theatre, etc. Teach him the importance of being healthy, eating healthy, being good, looking after the environment. All those things are also important.

With the Internet these days there's no shortage of tutorial material and explanations for both children and adults. We're basically drowning in information today. If you have a bit of spare cash you can also sign him up for recommended websites like Maths Factor or Maths Whizz. Look for competitions that your boys can join. Get them to join the chess club. In fact there are millions and millions of activities that you can encourage your boys to do, scouts, orienteering, the list goes on and on and on, that you as a parent don't actually get involved in yourself. You can be a hugely influential, encouraging and supportive parent even if you don't have a very good education yourself. You just have to work at being that kind of parent. But there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be. (I forget who now, google famous people with supportive mums,) but I've heard in the past of people from humble origins who have done very well by being supported by their ordinary mothers. It's probably far far easier than you think. (My own view is that parents who want to get involved in the educational nitty gritty only do it because they enjoy it. It's not necessary.)

I don't have tons of time but here's a couple of examples of great mothering

www.unc.edu/spotlight/covenant-scholar-owes-success-to-mom/

www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets-rookie-derrick-favors-owes-success-mother-raised-budding-nba-star-article-1.191565

I found these by "googling owes success to his mother". There are plenty more such stories out there. I hope they cheer you up.

Don't worry, he needs to be doing his own work anyway. The best any of us can do is show that school is prioritised and education is valued, take him to the library regularly, have a set time and a quiet place for homework. My friend's son is likely to go to Cambridge this year, he has just received his offer from them. She is retaking English GCSE having failed it at school. Twice.

thank you all for advice. this has made me feel so much better that he wont lose out because of me. (i went and did a key skills course for math english and computers at college as part of my NVQ course)

he goes to scouts and after school club and a few sports clubs each week so he is being stimulated that way. we have yet to join the library so thanks for that suggestion, we can do that tomorrow. we have internet here and he has access to it. i think i will get him a desk in his room as right now he does his homework in the living room and ds2 is usually watching tv or jumping around so that's not good.

thanks for those links learnandsay. very inspirtational. and your friend's mum uncle eddie