GCSEs 2018 (5 & a puppy, but no kittens)

[Stickerrocks]

Here we go again.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3177476-GCSEs-2018-4-already

Oddsocks DS typically is in bed by 11 on school nights. Then he struggles with tiredness until about 10 each morning. He can't get to sleep any earlier, and if left to his own devices, he'd sleep until after 11am.

Isn't there something about a huge drop in melatonin production in the latter part of the teen years that makes them all turn into night owls for a few years. These days I'd consider having to stay up until 3am as a form of torture, but when I did it all the time when I was at university (aged17).

You're right on the melatonin. Have you tried discretely squirting their pillows with an aromatherapy sleep spray when they are in the bathroom? I use one by L'Occitane which is citrusy rather than girly lavender.

Can't believe how late some of your DC stay up till, DS is already in bed and knowing him fast asleep!! But he does have to get up at 6.20.

I like the spray idea stickerrocks for DS's room but its not to make him sleep!!!!

DS is completely useless after 9.30 and heads up for bath and bed. Could be because he plays a lot of sport and must be physically as well as mentally exhausted? He is up at 6.30ish, so he gets 8.5 hours sleep. DD14 is completely opposite and would happily stay up past midnight watching rubbish telly and teaching the rabbit to do tricks.

DS1 (Y13) has long-term sleep difficulties. It takes him about two hours to get to sleep and then he wakes 2-3 times a night and has difficulty getting back to sleep again. He has cut out caffeine, switches screens off an hour before bed, etc. He is permanently exhausted and not capable of much before about 10am.

During his GCSEs he was prescribed melatonin by CAMHS.

As his A-levels are approaching, he made an appointment with the GP, who has prescribed a low dose of zopiclone (not to take every night, just for the nights before exams). Luckily all but one of his exams are afternoon papers.

You could try either getting melatonin sent from the US (if you know anyone out there), or a simple eye mask. The eye mask was what worked for someone I know, after trying everything else, including melatonin. Apart from making it dark, and creating a Pavlovian-type sleep response, it stops them opening their eyes and looking around

Stickerrocks That's awful news.
DS goes to bed around 11 and is rubbish at getting up in the morning but we live very close to the school so he is quite complacent.
From what I can gather the art exam went to plan and they have another 5 hours on Friday, then it's done!

DD was told her German speaking exam would be on the 18th or 19th April, back to school to be told they don't know when it would be, but it would be sometime?? Really??

Another item to add to my enormous list of moans for my meeting with HOY on Thursday. I can't wait until she gets out of that place.

Still not offer from first choice Sixth Form but her friend who is there already hasn't had an offer either. No letters have been sent, they are literally the last Sixth Form in the area to send out offers.

loose so glad the Art exam went OK.
Stickerocks sad stories. I feel so lucky right now.

Stickerrocks - was the news what you feared last night?

Sadly yes. They have very quickly rolled out support. I can't even start to think what the family are going through. Anyone who thinks teaching is an easy career obviously doesn't appreciate the heavy toll the emotional side carries.

Jufus I don't believe how hopeless they are. DD would be climbing the walls if she didn't know what was happening when.

Sost we need pictures of the pup or patio to lighten the mood. Your thread & country needs you!

Madhatter day here ...running around trying to get the last few things done for DD's birthday (including picking up her present )....didnt help that the shop i got the helium balloons from stated not to keep them in a hot car or they would burst...so was expecting a loud bang on way home.

DD had Biology test this morning hope all went well...she was doing Tassomai on drive into school!

Jufus - I think that is totally unacceptable and I would be very annoyed with HOY.

Stickerrocks - makes be shiver when life is lost so young...hope your DD is OK.

Stickerrocks - I hate to think what the family must be feeling.
Teaching is not an easy career option. Rubbish salaries (compared to the private sector), required to be sympathetic as well as empathetic (i.e. emotionally draining), on your feet all day, teaching a proportion of DC who are cheeky and won't work, and a significant number of parents who think you aren't doing enough for their DC. Long holidays doesn't even begin to make up for all that!

Saying all that - Jufus its time you were in that school! Meantime the head of MFL would be getting an email from me requiring a conversation today.

Sost - thinking of you

Jufus - that really isn't fair of the school! They must know the students would have been nervous enough.
It must be so hard for the parents and teachers Stickerrocks as well as the dcs.
DS is revising biology (Sunlight avoidance?!) then going out for a music rehearsal.
I second the request for pup and patio photos!

DD is complaining that the back of the house is in the shade after lunch, mak8ng it impossible to revise in sunshine unless she goes to the bottom of the garden. DH has helpfully suggested that we move the house around or if that's not possible just the sun, as the world clearly revolves around DD at the moment. They had history after school and played silly ball games whilst revising. The teachers are being incredible.

Well 3 days back and DS has decided that he is going to have some sick days as he says he will get a lot more done at home. Apparently revision in class is a little too laid back for DS sit where you like and chat to your mates is all acceptable and as he doesn't need to ask the teacher anything i'm inclined to agree!

Happy birthday to your DD teen was it today or tomorrow?

jus I think your DD deserves a medal for making it through that school!

Sos patiently waiting for pup update

Have one sick dgd off school today and 2 morrow with huge tummy ache. And all she is worrying about is work missed and whether time off will mean she cannot attend prom! The fact we had to go to hospital with her seems to have no importance! Thankfully it is just constipation due to her not drinking enough yet again and not taking her meds!

Update of pup

sost thanks for the pup-date. Hoped DVD feels better soon - that's not pleasant. Prune juice could be the was forward.

Happy birthday to Teen's teen.

Bluebelle All DD wants to do here is crash on her bed with her nose in a non-revision book to escape to a fantasy world. I'll stick with sending her into school each day.

Patio update, groundwork nearly done for the last 175 bricks!

Please note chair in background is not mine and will be took to dump next week. Bit of an eyesore I should just cut it off photo.

Happy birthday to teenmums dd!

Good to hear from you, Sost.

BlueBelle123 do you think he'll work at home? I suppose there isn't much the school can do about it now if students don't turn up. You'd think that being in revision lessons would be better, but obviously not.