My son is 16 and has his science Gcse exams this week. He does not revise. He says he does so at school in run up to the exams.
Last night he was on his Playstation again all evening even though he had an exam today.An hour before he leaves I go into his room and say- "why dont you look at your revision book for an hour" he replies "I am while I wait for people to join my game", (online gaming on playstation).
At this point I lost my cool and said that statement said it all. He is fitting in his revision while waiting for others to game with him online. I have previously spoken to him at length about why these exams are important, he wants to do computer science at uni and needs an A level in maths. He got an A in first module then slipped to a C in the next, but got an E in the recent mock for module 5. He wont be able to do A level unless he at least gets a B overall.
He is a bright boy in top sets apart from English. He seems to have apathy just at the wrong time!
I have spoken about his addiction to gaming with him and have previously taken away loads of times his pc and playstation. We agree a balanced approach to study and leisure but it never lasts.
He starts gaming at 3-30 and finishes at 11pm every night and at weekends can be online for 14 hours a day!! He runs to bathroom and eats tea while gaming so not to miss anything.
He has no social life or friends outside of school just ones online. He does not learn by experience- ie, it always resorts to me removing the playstation and pc and him being moody for a week. Him promising to study so I give it back and the cycle starts again.
Taking playstation away does not force him to study either as he goes on world of warcraft, then I even hide the mouse.
He refuses to study and digs heels in.
Sorry about the rant but I need advice from you guys.He is gaming for about 60 hours a week and wont spend any time revising. I am really scared that his is going to end up a sad gaming freak with no friends or career!!! ahhhhh
Just for some background info- he has a severe hearing loss and therefore wears hearing aids and lip reads, he is moderately dyslexic and now has just been diagnosed with alopecia so his hair is falling out.
I can understand why he spends time online with online friends. His self confidence is at an all time low but this gaming has been going on for about 3 years. Its his greatest joy in life. He has it hard with all his problems. Really need your advice.