GCSEs 2019 Support thread 3

[myrtleWilson]

Welcome all - just went to post on thread 2 and saw it was at 999 so quickly did this

I'm sorry too Myrtle, life can be really, really hard sometimes, particularly when things happen and we have no control over events. I sincerely hope treatment goes well for her.

Stress plays a big part in many illnesses and I hope those DC that are struggling with health issues at the moment, can just hang in there for a couple more weeks and then get some R&R over the long summer holidays.

DS is clearly running out of steam. He is fed up with revising. Now is only focusing on history, maths and biology. Chemistry is going to have to take one for the team, possibly physics too, as he revises his other subjects as he needs to do well in history and maths.

Well, apparently ds is revising before he goes out!

myrtle your sister you and your family see in my thoughts x

are in my thoughts x

Oh myrtle I am so sorry. I think it is the right decision.

Oh myrtle, that's rubbish

educatingarti ds does know that maths needs revision, but it is his best subject. He tends to do half a maths paper instead of revising the subjects he needs to do.

Oh myrtle

Can't bring myself to post my massively facile issues in contrast to all the worries from others. Big un-MN hugs to all of you wonderful parents.

Myrtle. We will all think and hope for your sister next week,, instead of your DD who can't. I agree that telling her now would not be the right thing to do.
Double. I think "facile" things are important to post (along with the more serious things when needed). Maybe it is because I have spent most of my life as a mum juggling the two. When you have one child with a life limiting condition and major complex special needs and two normal children, you spend your life juggling these things. Everything that happens to my two normal kids could be deemed facile, but they would have had the most awful childhood if every time they had a minor, normal, crisis, they were told that it didn't matter compared to the major, major issues of their brother. So you just have to compartmentalise. Yes I spent yesterday in Great Ormond Street discussing the double hip operation of DS1, but then I came home to distress about the scanner not working to get an English essay to English tutor, which is also a crisis, needs to be taken seriously. DS (2) but generally DS on this thread is very worried about getting the 7 he needs for English to get into the dreaded sixth form, and seems to be doing about an essay a day this week. And yes we pushed for and are pleased they have agreed a date for the hip operation which is after the GCSES finish. I don't talk much about DS1 here, as this is the place for GCSES, but I do think it is important that support is there for those enduring major GCSEs related issues and those that relate to normal stroppy teenagers

myrtleWilson Lots of love and good wishes for your sister, and you, in getting through the next few weeks. Adding my support for your decision not to tell DD.

I have been a long time lurker on MN and only really got involved recently with this thread in particular. I have seen other threads become very toxic and sometimes downright mean and often very judgemental. This thread is a lovely and supportive thread and I think we all need somewhere to share. So, share away, whatever your lives are throwing at you. Everyone needs a bit of support no matter how big or small the up and downs of life.

Lots of love myrtle, you are making the right (and most selfless as it puts more stress on you) decision.

DD has gone to Maths revision at school and I popped my head into her room, it is a complete tip but I guess now is not the time to nag about it.

Thanks again for all the lovely thoughts... Onwards!

Can't believe this half term is almost over - the downside is the week from hell next week (8 exams in 5 days) but I guess the upside is we're all one day closer to end of GCSEs and we can enjoy our DC enjoying life - proms and all at least until the dreaded R day

I've taken chunks out.of my tongue with all the tongue biting I've been doing! :)

Normal mum nagging service will resume after 14th June....:)

Silentsister - there are a few threads like this scattered amongst mn, where a group of people just enjoy hanging out together over some common theme.
I am also on a similar dog owners thread, and at one time was on a parkrunners thread too.
It is mn at it's best. get away from AIBU, and you'll find a few!

Bimkom, thank you for your thoughtful post, I totally agree. On the one hand, these things are the trivia of life, compared to the big issues, but they are the things our dc (and us) are dealing with every day and it is helpful to have a space to talk.

Myrtle

So very sorry to hear about your sister.

I do think you've done the right thing in not telling your DD until after the exams.

It's something she can't control or alleviate so frankly there's not point having her worried at this time.

I appreciate it must be tough for you in the meantime though.

I've not been on MN for a few days and this thread has really filled up
I'm sure I'll miss someone out (probably multiple people) but pointy congratulations on your new job, nice to have some lovely news after what you've been going through. Myrtle sorry to hear about your dsis. IMO a good plan to wait til after the exams to tell your dd, particularly when that's what your dsis wants.
The prom outfits sound fab - your dc will look great! Dd bought her dress months ago and we have shoes but no bag or underwear yet. It's quite low cut and could do with some oomph in the bust department! A friend's big sister is doing hair and she's having lessons from a friend via instagram on make up as she doesn't usually wear any. I know she'll be panicking about prom closer to the day. She hates being the centre of attention and would happily sneak in the back of the hotel and hope not to be spotted! I've just been told (not by my dd!)that a boy asked her to go with him and she said no, she'd rather go with her friends but will see him there. Bless!
Some history revision happening here but not focussed, it's a hit or miss affair...

Oh wow, all these prom outfits!

ds doesn't have his at all. easier for a boy I think!
We are hoping to get a suit after exams. Am I mad to do that?

DD2 has had hers for months as well. It's lovely, and she already has all the shoes and accessories and makeup she needs. Total cost has been £28 for the dress and that's it!

DD1 has had her 6th form ball dress for over a year, it's an epic steal from a charity shop and would have cost well north of £100 new - £16, and she too has all the accessories she needs. Frugal is the new us.

blimey pointy, that's impressive!
no chance ds would wear anything from a charity shop
I'm just hoping that it will be his interview suit.

dd1 (aged 14) though, she would consider it a triumph.
Her problem is that she wants to wear a tux. Not a female tux, but a proper make tux, or a 3 piece suit. Unfortunately nature has blessed her with very female hips, so male clothing really doesn't fit.
No idea what we will do when the time comes!

Ds completely refused to go to prom!

Sending my thoughts to myrtle, what a difficult time for you.
Echoing what others have said re supportive thread. When I was going through gcses with ds the ‘support’ thread felt much more like a competitive parents thread - & so I dropped off it.
They are all different & have different challenges along the way, it’s nice to chat with others going through similar things.
When ds went to prom he was still growing so we hired, may be an option for some. Had I bought a suit it wouldn’t have had a second wearing before he changed shape & height again!

steppe
Would she consider culottes or a pencil skirt and a tux shirt/tie/jacket?

Ds1s "friend" (let's call her anna) isn't going as she's away which I think has been part of his decision :)

Also: leavers hoodies....how much??

Ds1s is £25!

When did they become a "thing"?

(Old gimmer)

Ds completely refused to go to prom

Mine isn't going either. Says it's not his thing.

Not sure I would have gone if they'd been a thing back then but perhaps FOMO would have got the better of me. I went to an 11-18 school - I might have gone at the end of sixth form. Not after GCSEs though.

He'd done very little work this week. We will have to see if he knows as much as he thinks he does.