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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Making decisions for/on behalf of/with your children

30 replies

KatyMac · 12/03/2013 20:47

Or support them with thiers

It's so hard to know if you/they have decided right

I guess this happens more with teenagers than at any age really.

OP posts:
chocoluvva · 13/03/2013 00:02

Have you had a difficult decision to make recently?

Original poster
KatyMac · 13/03/2013 07:55

No - she has

But I was thinking generally GCSE choices/A levels/colleges/relationships/social issues (like drugs/sex/alcohol)

Generally really

OP posts:
cory · 13/03/2013 09:38

It is hard. But it is also interesting. Seeing them grow up, become their own person, having adult conversations. I like it. And that despite the fact that my dd has made some spectactularly bad decisions over the last year. But also a lot of very, very good ones.

GreatUncleEddie · 13/03/2013 17:33

They have to make their own, don't they. I try to make clear that I'm not saying what they should do, but help them look at the pros and cons. Have done this recently with yr9 subject options and a suggested weekend away with the family of a friend that wasn't well-timed for DS. Having said that, if he wanted to go drinking I would just say NO!

Original poster
KatyMac · 13/03/2013 21:21

It's great when they make good ones & sad when they make what you see as mistakes; but I think the hardest are when you won't know what the outcome will be for months/years

OP posts:
mrsjay · 14/03/2013 09:49

It is hard but all you can do is support them katy to make the right ones and it is ok for them to make mistakes and the wrong decision can make them realise we are all human, I think My dds are nearly 20 and 15 and I just helped them along the way that is all we can do ime

Myliferocks · 14/03/2013 09:57

I think as hard as it is sometimes as parents we have to let them make some mistakes. Then it is our job as parents to help them sort the aftermath out.
Having said that there are some mistakes that as parents we absolutely have to try and stop them making.
I worry far more about my DC now they are teenagers and pre teens than I ever did when they were little!

mrsjay · 14/03/2013 09:58

Having said that there are some mistakes that as parents we absolutely have to try and stop them making.

oh yes of course,

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/03/2013 19:26

She has given up her Dance scholarship; for all the right reasons - but it's still scarey

OP posts:
Maryz · 14/03/2013 19:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/03/2013 20:14

She feels if she isn't good enough to dance with kids her own age after 4 terms she never will be

She is now looking for something else; she needs more dance

Whether she can't learn the way they teach or if it's something else, it was pointless going on

OP posts:
Maryz · 14/03/2013 20:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HSMMaCM · 14/03/2013 20:20

Oh KatyMac! Scary change. I thought GCSE choices were hard. I had to stop myself scribbling out Childcare and writing in Latin on DDs form. It's so hard to know what decisions we should make for them and which to leave them to make themselves.

mrsjay · 14/03/2013 20:25

that is a shame katy do you think she will change her mind ?

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/03/2013 20:28

Not a clue; it was so confusing

When she started they said 5 weeks in level 1 & then we will place you. They never did. They kept promising a move the whole of last year - that never happened.

They moved a group of yr6 & yr7 in, in Sept and nearly everyone moved up.

The level 4&5 get help with auditions & DD wasn't included - then they invite her to a show with 'activities' after aimed at ages 7-12 and get annoyed that she won't come.

She felt she was marking time. But it comes down to if she isn't good enough after 4 terms to dance with her own age; she isn't good enough to be there

OP posts:
mrsjay · 14/03/2013 20:33

could she go somewhere else ? or wait till she is a little older was it a stage school she was at ?

Maryz · 14/03/2013 20:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/03/2013 20:38

No - it was Government funding Sad

We need another weekend class for her - we are looking

She has lost 6 hours

OP posts:
mrsjay · 14/03/2013 20:38

You need to find out why they think she isn't good enough. You don't have to tell her you are going, just call them and ask.

that I wouldn't let her give up just yet speak to whoever teachers her ask question then review it, this could be her career up in the air for nothing she could move elsewhere go to another class do other dances anything, It is down to her obviously but I would speak to the teachers

mrsjay · 14/03/2013 20:39

No - it was Government funding

We need another weekend class for her - we are looking

She has lost 6 hours

you will get somewhere it is a shame she is giving it up how long is her funding for ?

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/03/2013 20:41

I suppose it was for another 4 & a half terms

We had our exit interview last night - they had nothing to say

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 14/03/2013 20:41

Off to collect her

OP posts:
mrsjay · 14/03/2013 20:44

We had our exit interview last night - they had nothing to say

Shock that class is obviously not for her then if they couldnt even give you and support or explanation why she wasn't progressing , that is no way to treat a young person imo , your poor DD teenagers are emotional enough sometimes without that, but you will find something else dont let her quit It will destroy her

HSMMaCM · 14/03/2013 21:49

Sometimes these things happen for a reason and there is a better opportunity waiting.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/03/2013 21:58

Oh she still has (3+1.75+0.75+1.5+2.5+1) a week plus (0.5+0.75+2) of other stuff; she won't be giving up

OP posts: