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Teenagers

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

Do I have a right to know?

71 replies

Guardsman18 · 28/12/2019 13:58

Hi

I have a problem and was wondering if anyone has an answer as I can't speak to the school until January.

My DS (15) has asked to have a chat to the school nurse in their nuture room at school. This has taken place and he has been given a number to contact.

Can I 'demand' that I am included in whatever they are telling him given his age?

Thank you

OP posts:
PixieDustt · 28/12/2019 14:44

No you can't.
Do you think you could try and ask him? I know that sounds silly but does he know you know?

TeenPlusTwenties · 28/12/2019 14:45

Well, I guess not if you asked them not to.
It all depends on what the issue is really.

Guardsman18 · 28/12/2019 14:46

And if it matters, he was the one that had told me that he had asked to see the school nurse. He made a joke out of it, saying that it was a rubbish service as she hadn't been in for a month.

I can't help feeling that he wants me to know. As I said I just feel so useless.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 28/12/2019 14:47

Autistic teenagers need privacy as much as anyone.

Guardsman18 · 28/12/2019 14:48

Autistic t?eenagers also need assistance too. I can't just let him get on with it can I

OP posts:
Guardsman18 · 28/12/2019 14:49

? should be after can I

OP posts:
TeenPlusTwenties · 28/12/2019 14:51

Bran I agree. However in some situations the fact the person has autism (or some other issue meaning they are not NT) may have bearing on advice given. I can imagine that especially over the phone some 'conditions' may be less obvious.

Guardsman18 · 28/12/2019 14:51

He knows that I know he asked to see the nurse but not the content. He has other issues and I just can't help feeling this is deflection

OP posts:
Branleuse · 28/12/2019 14:54

I have aspergers myself as do all my kids. Maybe thats why I cant understand why that would make privacy less necessary.
Hes 15, presumably in a mainstream school and felt able to speak to the school nurse alone.
Id ask him if he wanted any support, whilst reitterating that if he wanted privacy im fine with that

TeenPlusTwenties · 28/12/2019 14:56

Can you 'speculate' to him? Or say 'I don't need you to tell me but...' and give your own view /advice? Or find interesting and potentially relevant news items or websites to discuss in general terms rather than specific to him?

TeenPlusTwenties · 28/12/2019 15:00

Bran I guess it all depends on the child. I think it isn't about privacy as such, it is more to do with being given appropriate advice.
My eldest presents well on first meeting. But actually in many ways is emotionally about 3 years below her age. So that means when she went to college at just 16 and was being told 'you are a young adult now' they were in many ways telling a 13yo this. It did not have positive outcomes.

Guardsman18 · 28/12/2019 15:01

Of course I can Bran and I have, but I'm not fine with the privacy. I'll come round, of course I will. I have nobody to ask about this which I'm so very grateful to people answering my questions.

I like that idea Teen. I'll have to get clued up though!

OP posts:
TeenPlusTwenties · 28/12/2019 15:10

(If you think he might think he's trans, I would do whatever I could to talk up that you can't change sex, that gender stereotypes are rubbish, that Boy George had long hair and wore makeup etc. And if he has been given Mermaids to ring I'd point him elsewhere.)

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 29/12/2019 10:43

what if he's not NT?

Probably even more important that he has multiple support networks. He's growing up and you wont be able to do it all for him forever.

If he's been given a card for a dodgy organsation then by all means raise hell with the school but otherwise I'm not sure what wrong advice the nurse could have given.

I just can't help feeling this is deflection

It might be a deflection from the issues that you judge are most important for him but he's old enough to have his own priorities and follow his own path. Which might end up at the same place where you started, but he's too old for you to decide for him what his priorities should be. So for example if he thinks he's trans then that's where he is and his ASC is just another part of the mix and for him, and not necessarily the most important part.

I would do whatever I could to talk up that you can't change sex, that gender stereotypes are rubbish, that Boy George had long hair and wore makeup etc.

Try to avoid asserting your own views. Listen, don't talk. If this is a gender thing then ask him what he thinks gender means, what sex means, etc., what he wants to do. There is no need to have all the answers or even any answers, let him tell you. And he wont care about Boy George, that was before he was born.

I have talked and do talk to my own DS about such things as he has an ASC and has a close friend who was is/was trans-ish. His friend was satisfied with watchful waiting and some cross dressing. The single most powerful thing I could do was to get DS to tell me what he thought.

Guardsman18 · 14/01/2020 16:41

I'm not sure anyone will see this but he has an appointment now with the GP that the school has made for him.

I have to take him there apparently but not be privvy to anything. I can't help feeling I'm failing him.

I am proud of him that he has asked for help but I guess I'm just scared of the unknown. I guess I won't know if he goes to GP alone.

I always thought as a parent you had to be with them at GP appointments?

OP posts:
Saucery · 14/01/2020 16:48

Not at 15, no, it comes down to Gillick competency again.
I would just keep the channels of communication open with him, as I’m sure you are doing and keep emphasising that you are on his side, willing to listen without judgement and would value being able to support him with whatever it is.

Guardsman18 · 14/01/2020 17:00

Thanks Saucery. I did mention sexuality, trans in the car on the way home. I know no more about it than reading posts on MN!

He asked that I not tell anyone else about his appointment which I won't.

Your words are very comforting and I will do that - being on his side, willing to listen without judgement and I will support him. I am way, way out of my 'comfort zone' though.

I know this isn't about me but I am the one who will have to sort things out as things arise.

OP posts:
Saucery · 14/01/2020 17:06

Yes, and he does need to realise that. I hope he starts to open up to you.
Would it be helpful to suggest to him he tells you a little more information, you agree not to comment at that time and set a period of time where you think about what he has said without trying to engage in conversation about it? He might not want the spotlight of your attention on him immediately.

LolaSmiles · 14/01/2020 17:06

Ultimately he has the right to privacy on many matters and it's good you're accepting that, albeit reluctantly. Smile

If you're supporting him and let him know that you are here to speak when he is ready and also make him aware that it's important to confide in trusted adults and to be wary of anyone encouraging secrecy on issues then the door is open for him.

Some people can be quite quick to tell teenagers to keep secrets, that their parents 'wont understand' or get in early about how any expression of concern isn't actually concern. In those situations a caring parent's actions can backfire. The more you're calm and available for when he needs it, the better.

I hope whatever it is you and your son are ok.

Guardsman18 · 15/01/2020 12:06

Thanks both. Wise words and much appreciated.

I still can't get my head around it though. Let's say a child sees their GP, (the one my son has the appointment with has never seen him before) and - being a bit silly now but I hope you know what I mean - he wants to be a girl and have medication or an operation?

He can't just go off and have that done can he? At what point does it become my business and not just his?

Let's say he has something wrong with his genitals. Nothing could be done surely without my consent or knowledge or will GP encourage him to talk to me?

OP posts:
ReallyLilyReally · 15/01/2020 12:34

At 15, he's old enough to be making his own medical decisions, surely? I certainly was, i saw the doctor alone from 13 onwards. I think it's very normal for a teen to want to keep things private from their parents and I'd certainly be reassured that he's mature enough to be asking for the help he needs. I'd say let him get on with it and be ready to listen when he's ready to talk.

Guardsman18 · 15/01/2020 13:45

Thanks for reply. I am certainly taking everything on board even though it may not seem like at times.

Making medical decisions when he's asking for a lift to the GP's?! Surely any decisions he makes at 15 will involve change of some sort that I have to facilitate? I know I sound (again) as if it's all about me but what if I don't 'like' what they've told him? It's me who has to help him then with whatever he talks about to the GP.

He's a very young 15 too if that makes any difference. I am so out of my depth as is probably apparent!

OP posts:
Guardsman18 · 15/01/2020 13:47

I do like your last sentence though and find that really helpful - to let him get on with it and be ready to listen. Am just finding this difficult.

OP posts:
InsideLiverpool · 15/01/2020 13:57

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FATEdestiny · 15/01/2020 14:11

He could have a suspected STD and not want you to know he is sexually active. Or want free condoms / contraception.

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