Well that was real fun, a first…..
It’s been over 2 years of Hawklad being off from school. Over two years of trying to replicate what is going on in the classroom, from a living room 12 miles away. In all that time the link with school has been hit and miss. But this week was the first time we had no contact from school. Absolutely no contact. Yes we tried to see if any files had appeared on the online school system, but absolutely nothing was sent from a teacher or teaching assistant. Where he found work, Hawklad submitted it but it always remained unmarked. He was due to sit a couple of exams at home but nothing arrived. Hawklad could have been sat playing computer games or walking round Disney all week and school would not have realised. There was a time when school asked each day for evidence that Hawklad was following the classes, an online register, but that was dropped.
I was getting stressed out about school, on top of getting stressed out about work, on top of all the stress which seemingly has become such a part of this currently mad world. Definitely stressed out. Going round in never ending stress circles. I had to break the circle so I found myself walking across a wild meadow. Still stressed out. Now the walk was stressing me out. I couldn’t stop worrying about stuff. Living in a world full of stress. Then a realisation, this is kinda like how Hawklad gets. Stressed out about everything. Not being able to break out of the entrapment. This isn’t healthy. So what do I say to him. Be happy. Remember the important stuff, remember the good things. We are NOT at home if Mr Worry knocks on the door. If you can do something about a worry then do it, don’t let it eat away at you. Find things you like doing, distract yourself from all the stuff you can’t do anything about and try to breath and have fun.
As I stood in that field, stressed out, I thought….
I really need to come up with catchier advice….
I do talk some rubbish…..
Easier said than done……
Why did I give up caffeine…..
But eventually I did actually follow my own advice. I drafted a work ‘I quit email’. I drafted a ‘Hawklad quits school’ email. That helped. Knowing I can just press one send button and two big headaches disappear. Ok it might create other other issues but at least they would be our created ones which we could better control. I also agreed with Hawklad that if school can’t be bothered then STUFF waiting for them. We might as well do some day trips than wait in school if nothing is coming from them.
Now I’m a lot less stressed out. Yep, I should listen to my own advice occasionally.
A Dad trying to cope with the loss of his Partner and becoming a single parent. 
Isn’t it interesting that we know it all, share it with others, but forget to use the wisdom for ourselves? And sometimes, only writing about it, already takes the pressure. Often we only need an outlet to reduce the pressure. I often imagine it like a line from which I let all the pressure run out of me.
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I so often leave it too long before I try to do anything about it. I must learn.
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Uhm… you are not alone in that, Gary…
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Good morning or early afternoon for you I believe. Parents worry. That is what we do. Hawklad learns far more from the subjects that interest him as opposed to a set curriculum.
School is something invented to keep kids busy for six hours a day/7 five days a week. Free babysitters. But the kids don’t get to have fun. Now usually learning about something that interests you tends to lead to other subjects. And more. What do I know though? And please refrain from sending T an email telling him that I think school is a little silly. There is not much I learned in school that I still retain to this day. My math skills did not kick in until I was in my 20’s.
When I begin to stress and become consumed with anxiety I look at the problem and ask myself: Do I have control over this or is it something I can do nothing about? If something I can do something about then I tackle it. If it is something there is nothing I can do about it then I do not worry.
Hugs to both you and Hawklad. 🙂
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I so agree. If school was designed in the interests of the children, it would be fun and they would learn stuff that improves there life’s ❤️
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💜💜💜
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My grandkids have been in and out of school at the discretion and behest of their parents. They have done part time schooling balanced by home schooling and they’ve done full-time schooling. Depending on the needs at the time. My G-kids learn as well at home though differently. We need to gear learning so it benefits the child (within the constraints that different jurisdictions place on parents). This has the benefit of reducing anxiety for both the child and parent. That improves the wellbeing / mental health of all involved. Fortunately my son and spouse have the work flexibility to make helpful choices.
Keep searching for ways to best help Hawk kid.
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Make that Hawklad.
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🙏
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Well-being is a key factor. I won’t force him to do anything. It’s his call. He has to do what’s right for him.
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Not much point in waiting for school, clearly. Best to write them off.
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I think you are right
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Good for you.
I like your attitude.
Excuse the French but F@#@ them.
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I couldn’t have put it better
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You’re not having an easy ride, that’s for sure. Maybe contacting school governors needs to be suggested? I’m sure that’ll motivate them to help.
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I have, just no interest. The focus is on the school being ranked exceptional
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And I should follow your advice also. It is very good my friend!👍🏻
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Thank you 🙏
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Dad, I would be stressed out, too, in your situation. I like your solution to draft a ‘Hawklad quits school’ email. Perhaps you should send a copy to your local newspapers.
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That’s one miracle for you – the courage to cut ties which make you suffer needlessly. The seas are turning!
Now, all you need is to continue to work on and fine tune your place- and needs-based curricula. Good if you can put it out there so that the light you’ve found shines into other homes.
Free other parents. Free other kids. Bring back the joy of learning.
For all you know, it might work out such that schools would be sending you emails asking if you could help them!
What a miracle that would be!
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Beautiful post here Friend. Through the hustle and bustle of life and the desire to do everything, we end up wearing ourselves out. For stress, I recommend a few things. First, start by putting God first, and begin your day with a prayer to God and a heart for God. God is able to orchestrate several things and he can use divine assistance to make our day easier. Second, we need to treat our body like a temple. Energy giving foods are a great resource. Thirdly, we need to take little breaks every now and then to refresh.
The most important of these is God. When things get tough, we can always reach out to him for help.
The Bible says in Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.
God says in Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
If anyone reading is interested in building a relationship with God, I have a post on that here: https://christcenteredruminations.wordpress.com/2018/08/29/how-to-build-a-relationship-with-god/
There is much more to know about God. I post frequently on my blog about topics related to God. You are welcome to follow my blog to keep up with my content. See my blog here: https://christcenteredruminations.wordpress.com/
-All the best. May God bless you.
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Thank you 🙏
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