Home Educating 16 Year Old Son

whitewing

Is there one of the members of the library study group who could come to your house (with parents/carer) and explain about it to your son. So that he is joining the group as a friend of x, rather than walking into a new setting by himself.

Essex-girl_2

If he doesn't get there Thursday I am going to go and see what its all about. I think he wants to but just cant face it at the moment.

I do feel more relaxed about it myself which in turn makes him feel more positive - both his Dad & I have been trying not to show stress but its hard
x

Buzzybee90

Sorry for what your son and your family are going through.

I agree his health is more important than his GCSEs at the moment, as he's only 16 he has lots of time to catch up with these.

This is a really difficult situation that needs looking at by a professional, hopefully he can be helped before it becomes a way of life in adulthood.

Good luck

z.n

Hi OP

No advice (my DS at 16 is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster but nothing serious so far) but lots of sympathy. I agree with meriaten and buzybee that the emphasis should be on the improvement of mental health- avoid any exam related pressure at all until he is in a better mind.

However, getting out and about a bit, if possible, could be a very good thing. Attending classes (with the sole expectation of getting there, staying a decent amount of time and getting home without disaster) does not seem an unfair target and might serve your son better than home schooling in the longer term. It will throw up all his anxieties etc but while he is getting home visits from CAHMS to talk it through (and hopefully do some CBT) he is likely to make more progress in his mental health than if he stays at home. So long as he is not entirely overwhelmed of course. Think of the class as part of the solution to the anxiety treatment- and if he picks up anything gcse wise that is purely a bonus at this point and will save a bit of time and effort later when he is ready to focus on exams. But at the moment this is not about exams- it is about getting better. If he is allowed to hide at home the CBT will not be as effective and the problem is more likely to remain. Worry about the gcses later.

Good luck and very best wishes.

Essex-girl_2

Thank you.

He is coming out with me at least once a week now which is a vast improvement but still wont go any longer than 15 minutes in the car. Think will try and go further with him on the train as he doesn't mind that as they have a toilet and he can move about.

I hope he will go Thursday, he lost so much confidence at school with his learning especially in maths and english and at the moment cannot see the point - thinks he couldn't possible catch up as was struggling before when he was at school.

Fingers crossed. It has helped so much posting on here and seeing all the replies - some of my 'friends' really dont get it at all.x

borkid

I used to, up until last year, work as an e teacher for my local authority. All learning was done online and lessons set by subject specialists and it was possible to take GCSEs. This method of teaching was in place of home tutors who visited the pupils in their homes. The students were out of school for a variety of reasons not just illnesss as we had some exclusions as well.

I don't know about your area but in Norfolk we were under childrens services. There are other local authorities which have this method of home tuition.

Is your son doing any work at home? It might be a good idea to encourage him to look at the BBC bitesize site and brush up on some basics. It is very easy to get out of the habit of learning/ working.