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Teenagers

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

teen dropping out

3 replies

cee1234 · 08/10/2015 09:21

My 17 year old has a history of missing school - it's been years of off and on. Now he's asked to go back and redo AS levels, after taking a year out. He said he realised he needed them, and this time would make it work. But it's the same old story. He is risking his whole education, and we are unable to make him take responsibility. Dreading him being asked to leave the college - because then what? Want to support him, as he finds school environment difficult, clearly - but at the same time, how to put up with this total lack of motivation and respect for us and his teachers? For how long - till he's 30? Fear that he will never be able to hold down a job - he falls out with everyone, has terrible attitude towards authority. It's affecting our own mental state so badly too - we are at a complete loss. We've tried psychologists (refusal to go), home schooling, mentors - but he shows no interest, or cannot sustain it. His promises now mean nothing - empty words.
But do we stand back and let him become a complete drop out? How do we live with this situation?

OP posts:
ilovecornwall · 08/10/2015 22:37

I just posted similar but regarding my son and his GCSEs. I hope someone out there might have some ideas, I am at a loss! I really understand what you say about your mental state, I am consumed with this situation with my teenager, to the detriment of my other two (well behaved) children. Sorry I can't help but good luck and hope it works out!

Meloncoley2 · 09/10/2015 18:52

did he get his GCSE's? It may be that he needs more time to mature, decide what he wants to do, then he will have definite goals to work towards. I know quite a few people who didn't do well in a school environment who came good in their twenties after a few years working.

cee1234 · 12/10/2015 15:55

He got some. Not maths. Yes we them agreed that perhaps he wasn't ready to take A levels. So he home schooled himself and did two AS LEVELS. BUT ASXPER PATTERN, started off well but fizzled out and did nothing for most of the year so didn't do very well in the exams. Said he had come to his senses snd asked fee paying college to take him back. And we agreed as the alternatives are dire. I mean what are they? He can't get a job, won't get a job, hAs high ambitions but can't hack going into lessons. So here we are again same old story AFTER the year out.

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