Cheer me up with positive stories please

[whenwillthemadnessend]

Dd 15 yo is very hard work at the moment

She has anxiety and a phobia that effects her daily life. She is currently seeing a clinical psychologist for cbt and emdr and I'm praying for a happier more settled girl in the future.

It's gcse year and her attendance isn't great.

She is currently off again with a heavy cold and has had Pcr. Lf. Etc. All negative but has missed another two days school and it's only week two.

Im so worried about her.

We have good times and she loves seeing her friends but I'm struggling with the stress of it all

Please give me some stories of your troubled teens and recovery to cheer me up. I need to feel there is some hope that comes with growing maturity

I have a ds just gone into his last year. Years 8, 9 and 10 were horrible. Have just realised in the last couple of months that he’s probably autistic, but for the first time he’s actually enjoying school. Also dd15 now in y11, hated years 9 and 10. Have got her a tutor and she’s gaining in confidence and is happier in herself.

State schools in the UK are full of fabulous dedicated teachers but they (the institutions) fail our children because of their size and inability to personalise education ime.

My only advice? Give her every boost you can at every opportunity- build her confidence in any possible way. If she misses school buy the revision guides and watch YouTube - but keep her happy and motivated for what happens after this year.
So many kids can’t cope with the system we impose on them, so just try and minimise the damage for this last year.

Not out of the woods here yet, but big glimmers of light are now appearing 😅

DD is 16, and has struggled with anxiety and associated school attendance issues for the last 2.5years but is managing far better now.

Despite very limited engagement with online learning during lockdown and only 50% attendance when schools were open, she did well in her Nat 5 assessments (GCSE equivalents- we’re in Scotland) and since schools went back last month her attendance has been good and she is keeping up with her coursework. I feel we have definitely turned a corner 🤞🏻

It has been a very challenging few years and it has taken a huge toll on all 3 of us (DD, DH and myself) but it is getting better.

So hang in there @whenwillthemadnessend. You have put a lot of positive things in place to help your DD and with your continued love and support she will get through these difficult times and come out stronger 💐☕️🍫

Thank you. That helps a lot
Anymore will be gratefully read.

It is an incredibly stressful and worrying situation to be in. My son is very intelligent, he was in all the top sets at school and wasn't struggling academically, but at age 13 started suffering severe debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. I couldn't have done anymore than what l did to try and get him into school, it was an utterly exhausting and impacted on my own mental health. l saw a very unpleasant side of the school at that stage, l hadn't encountered this problem before as my eldest sailed through school no problem.
I am a single working parent and after numerous Drs appointments ( drink herbal tea) and Cahms, l felt l had no choice than to de register him.
This was actually quite terrifying because at that stage we were probably 18 months on, towards GCSEs, and during that time l lost my Dad and was still grieving my husband.
But, it was actually the best thing l could have done, because both of our stress levels went down, we we aware there were other options and it felt like a fresh start.
My son isn't stupid or irresponsible, he knew he should be in school, it wasnt defiance or stubbornness, it actually broke my heart seeing how difficult it was trying to leave the house in the morning,
So l de registered him, did lots and lots of research on home education, and now he has just turned 16, been studying successfully, doing really well on Mock and test papers, and due to sit his exams at a local private college in November. He is a lot more confident, calmer and happier in himself and concerning his own future. We have worked on his anxiety issues, that he needs to be very aware of how his thoughts contribute towards his wellbeing, and his coping mechanisms etc.
I just think personally the o!der they get the better they are able to manage this awful debilitating disorder.
Looking back l wish l had the confidence to take him out of school earlier, but at least now we know we had exhausted all avenues. There are excellent free online resources and we brought the Edexcell GCP study books for GCSE. It has taught him self discipline, to be resourceful , and to know there's always more than one way to overcome obstacles.

These are all great stories and very inspiring. Thank you 😊